So what is it that attracts you to the opposite sex?

Let's not place a wild generalisation on Westerners. The biological aim of humans, as with most other species, is to reproduce and spread the gene pool. We as a society are blinkered into thinking that monogamy is the "right" way to behave.

(I personally like the idea of monogamy)

east is better than western interms of divorce rate

Athena wrote: We are a polygamous species

True. There's scientific proof for this statement.

BirdsFly wrote:

Athena wrote: It's not just westerners, it's people in general. Let's face it... We are a polygamous species who aspire to be monogamous

If you can't be faithful to the partner you love, then that's your business.

But don't use that as an excuse.
There's a phrase I really like, it says:

Loyalty isn't a feeling, it's a decision.

So if you decide to be unfaithful, live with it. But don't expect other people to be as weak as you are.

I feel like you have made a drastic generalization about my character based off of my statement of an observable biological hypothesis.

I, myself, would prefer monogamy.

So with that being said, please do remember one thing before making generalizations... To assume is to make an 'ass' out of 'u' and 'me'

didn't u think that the problem might be with men\guys and not women/girls?

Renata wrote: didn't u think that the problem might be with men\guys and not women/girls?

it goes either ways

Science studies show that cheating is within both men and women. The urge and desire for it is practically hardwired within our brains. It is there more on an instinctual and subconscious level. The drive for it however, is different for men and women. For men, it is to spread our genes as much as possible. For women, it is the interest and search for the best potential mate. That's just a quick general overview of it.

With that said, it is really up to the INDIVIDUAL to act upon those desires or urges. You cannot generalize a country, culture, or gender like that. As a guy, I prefer monogamy and was always loyal when I was in a relationship. When I am a single though, it's a whole other story..

36c wrote:

Athena wrote: We are a polygamous species

True. There's scientific proof for this statement.

Actually, that's not true. We evolved as a monogamous species due to necessity/shared resources. It's what got us past the cave man times. So it might be true on a lower "animal" level, but that's like saying we're no different than apes.

Opposable thumbs, complex language that enables knowledge to be passed down, and a robust social structure? Our stick (tool) is a bit more advanced than their stick (actual stick) to dig up ants, eh?

curmudgeon wrote:
Actually, that's not true. We evolved as a monogamous species due to necessity/shared resources. It's what got us past the cave man times. So it might be true on a lower "animal" level, but that's like saying we're no different than apes.

Opposable thumbs, complex language that enables knowledge to be passed down, and a robust social structure? Our stick (tool) is a bit more advanced than their stick (actual stick) to dig up ants, eh?

We will never be monogamous as long as we have primal instinct.

xohsosuper wrote: We will never be monogamous as long as we have primal instinct.

The impulse is always there (what's the name of the "smaller", less evolved part of the brain?), but there's consequences to our behaviors and sometimes we may even curb that "animal instinct" to avoid the repercussions. Like men with power or money. They can cheat, but the cost of which might be too high. For both guys and girls, their actions might eliminate the option of a more reliable partner due to their polygamist tendencies.

So, in the tl;dr version: it exists to vary degrees (some more than others), but that only explains things on the most simplistic level. I disagree on the premise that things are as simple as that, but I know it won't stop people from going: "we're animals, woo-hoo!"