Obviously, the benefits of monogamy are not limited to the two-parent child care advantage. I could suggest one or two more, perhaps not within the purview of an evolutionary biologist: Knowing that you always have a date for Saturday night can be a comfort. So can a shoulder to cry on, when you really need one.
But back to Professor Barash. What he calls "the bad news" about polygamy (or harem-keeping) is that, for several reasons, it is not advantageous for humans––male or female. Modern man may dream about the delights of keeping a harem in bygone days, but the truth is that only the sultan could afford a seraglio. The majority of men in those polygamous cultures wound up unhappy bachelors.
Even so, I would argue that there are some today for whom that biological imprint of polygamy seems to provide the stronger, not to say irresistible, urge. I'm talking about the Casanova who shuns commitment in favor of playing the field, and the philandering husband, as well. The idea of mating for life and "forsaking all others" is anathema to them.
Monogamy may not be "natural" for human beings, but an awful lot of us still think it's the best choice.
که یه مرد n تا زن داشته باشه. من مسئله ام با خود مفهوم commitment بود.
