The value of monogamy in emerging adulthood: A gendered perspective

Abstract

Gender and gender role differences in the valuing of monogamy were examined using a sample of emerging adults currently in heterosexual dating relationships. Monogamy attitudes were measured on four dimensions: valuing emotional monogamy, valuing sexual monogamy, perceptions of monogamy as relationship-enhancing, and perceptions of monogamy as a sacrifice. Gender differences emerged, with women valuing both emotional and sexual monogamy more strongly than men. While both men and women viewed monogamy as relationship enhancing, men were more likely to view monogamy as a sacrifice. Individuals with gender roles defined by communal traits valued monogamy more highly. Each of the monogamy dimensions was significantly correlated with reported relationship satisfaction. Findings are interpreted from evolutionary and social constructionist perspectives.

Australian Gay Men’s Satisfaction with Sexual Agreements: The Roles of Relationship Quality, Jealousy, and Monogamy Attitudes

“…Finally, Schmookler and Bursik's (2007) Monogamy Views Scale was used to assess attitudes towards monogamy as enhancing a relationship (monogamy-enhancing attitudes) and attitudes towards monogamy as a sacrifice for a relationship (monogamy-sacrifice attitudes). Each subscale consists of 8 statements with which participants indicate their level of agreement, using a 7-point scale (1 = strongly disagree; 7 = strongly agree).…”

“…Endorsement of monogamy as relationshipenhancing is associated with beliefs that it builds intimacy and strengthens bonds between partners. In contrast, endorsement of monogamy as a sacrifice is associated with beliefs that monogamy blocks natural drives and involves subordinating one's needs for diversity (Schmookler & Bursik, 2007). Gay men who more strongly endorse monogamy-enhancing attitudes are likely to be more satisfied with a closed or monogamish agreement than an open one, whereas the inverse is likely to be true for men who more strongly endorse monogamysacrifice attitudes.…”

“…There are at least two independent dimensions of monogamy attitudes: views of monogamy as enhancing a relationship, and views of monogamy as a sacrifice (Schmookler & Bursik, 2007). Endorsement of monogamy as relationshipenhancing is associated with beliefs that it builds intimacy and strengthens bonds between partners.…”

Romantic Relationship Dynamics of Urban African American Adolescents

“…Was there a point in the relationship when you two became monogamous to each other?”). Adolescents who endorsed being in a dyadic relationship and engaging in sexual behavior only with their dyadic pair at the time of data collection were considered to be in a mutually monogamous relationship (Schmookler & Bursik, 2007; Weaver & Woolard, 2008). When the respondent or the respondent's sex partner had a concurrent sexual partner at any point during the time of the relationship, the participant was considered not to be in a mutually monogamous relationship.…”

Young women's descriptions of sexual desire in long-term relationships

“…Premarital sex and cohabitation in this period is widely accepted (Arnett, 2007). These romantic relationships also tend to stress monogamy (Schmookler & Bursik, 2007) and may be in preparation for marriage (Carroll et al, 2009). Therefore, focusing attention on the more intimate details of these relationships and the sexual relationships that occur in this context could yield some crucial information regarding this developmental age group.…”