The Myth of Monogamy

Denny Burk:

An article on CNN.com suggests that monogamy is on the decline and that serial monogamy and polyamory may be better alternatives. Serial monogamy is “a model in which people move from one committed long-term relationship to another and choose partners for different reasons at different stages of their life.” Polyamory is “the practice of having romantic relationships with multiple people at the same time with the full knowledge and consent of all involved.”

This article is really sad for a lot of reasons, but I do think it accurately describes the decline of sexual mores in American society. What’s interesting, however, is that the author does not present any of this as a retrogression. Rather, he rather cooly describes what’s happening in the culture as if serial monogamy and polyamory are viable alternatives in the modern world. In other words, it’s presented as if one may leave behind monogamy just like one might throw out an old sweater for a new one. There’s no moral problem whatsoever with this kind of behavior. That is a commentary within itself.

Christians are going to appear more and more out-of-step with the culture in this kind of atmosphere. Indeed, if we are faithful, we will be a true counter-culture bearing witness in our monogamous marriages to the ultimate marriage (Ephesians 5:31-32). May God give us grace to stand against the culture for the sake of the culture on this point (John 17:15, 21).