what is monogamy

Monogamy is a relationship structure in which two individuals form an exclusive intimate partnership. It refers to the practice of forming romantic relationships with only one partner at a time, as opposed to having multiple partners at once. Monogamous relationships can be sexual or emotional, or both. The term "monogamy" can be subclassified by context-dependent relational types, including marital monogamy, social monogamy, and sexual monogamy. Marital monogamy refers to marriages of only two people, while social monogamy refers to a male and females social living arrangement without inferring any sexual interactions or reproductive patterns. Sexual monogamy is defined as an exclusive sexual relationship between a female and a male based on observations of sexual interactions. Serial monogamy is a mating practice in which individuals may engage in sequential monogamous relationships. Monogamy is a common relationship structure, but some people have trouble staying monogamous, which can lead to infidelity, separation, breakups, and divorce.