Research has shown that having multiple concurrent partners increases our risk of getting HIV and passing it on to other people. However, some people argue that it is not realistic to expect human beings to be faithful to each other in sexual relationships.
So Onelove put the question to some of our readers who subscribe to the Facebook discussion board. Here are some of their responses:
Corinna Turner said: “Well, define normal for a start off! Gays think they are normal, hets think they are normal, polygamists think they are normal, monogomists think they are normal… One thing I can tell you, from the talk I went to last night – porcupines are monogamous and I would guess they feel they are normal. LOL!”
Bolelang Rakeepile said: “I won’t get into the normal/abnormal debate. To me it seems people over years developed a culture of monogamy as a society. They even found ways of rewarding those who adhered to it and punishing those who don’t. This has led to closet polygamist as we see them today (the dishonest). They try to adhere to the standard set by the society but violating their own values.”
Janine Botes said: “I think it is a conscious decision to be or not to be. Women are very demanding, I know, I am one, why would any man want two or more?”
Michele Carelse said: “I think it is realistic to expect people to be honest in sexual relationships. There is nothing inherently wrong in monagomy or polygamy but there is something inherently wrong with dishonesty. So being upfront about it is the key.”
And Trish Donmall said: “I think everyone’s opinion of normal is different but for me monogamy in a sexual relationship is normal.”
