On Promiscuity

[bean_marrow]

I have to write a philosophy paper on both the merits and pitfalls of the practise of promiscuity. Since I'm not an expert on the subject, and since I don't have enough time to do "research", I am begging you for your thoughts on the matter

Comments

[sidneythecat]

how are you understanding monogamy? one relationship for life or many monogamous relationships?

what about the (traditional?) relationship between monogamy and marriage and how monogamy was often a double standard, demanded of the woman to ensure paternity? and how this idea of marriage/monogamy was/is a part of the patriarchal structure?

actually i don't know... i'm not doing so well in feminist philosophy *rolls eyes*

[lunchables]

no, you're on the right track. but promiscuity is also as much a patriarchal structure as monogramy, in our particular culture. I think its worth it for her to explore both monogamy and polygamy/promiscuity as such constructs, because they dictate our views and experiences of it. a slutty girl is treated different still today from a slutty guy and that distinction between "male" and "female" behaviour, as we allow it to be, often codes our general attitudes about these issues.

i think.

I'm only getting Bs in this stuff at school.

[sidneythecat]

that's what i'm getting too.

it's really hard to remove oneself from that structure. i suppose the key is for ppl (women) to identify what they want out of a relationship/life and have the power to go for it.

[horrorshow]

okay, here's my take, and really this is my personal opinion

[needlegun]

i agree with sil in that if both people in the relationship are truely cool either way, then more power to them... to each (couple), their own....

i personally don't want to share when i'm in a relationship either...

what i think you should maybe explore steph is the lure of promiscuity in a relationship... although i've never cheated on anyone, i've always wondered what it'd be like to be with someone else, and although i would never act on these erm, desires/curiosities, i've found no matter the relationship, they're still there...

so i dunno...

personally, i think it's healthy to think or fantasize about being promiscuous, though the separation between fantasy and reality must remain very distinct.

my 2 cents..

[misscato]

i just dont know. I choose for my partner to be monogomous, but i'd rather be promiscious (not that i have, im just saying) being monogomous is hard and i can see how easy it is to not be. it takes alot of hard work and self control and no matter what, no matter how devoted the couple is to each other there is ALWAYS the suspicion of cheating. always. anyone who says different is a lying sack of crap.

or maybe its just me.

this wont help you at all, sorry.

[captain_danger]

I think I'll add the male point of view on promescuity to help you out a bit.

The way I see it, most men are all about chasing women, and trying to get up their skits. I know this to be true, because I fit into that majority of a group... which is almost all of us dudes. Although I have been in many a relationship, every now and again, somebody strikes your fancy, and you start thinking. I wonder what it would be like if I were with them insted and such.

I always felt that those impulses were an ingraned part of our brains (guys and girls) because of the basic human need to propagate the species. In essence, if we all stopped fucking, we'd die.

Most people are pretty well ajusted and won't dry hump people on the subways and on the sidewalks of our city, but sometimes, I think people are more promiscuious because they are using that impulse more than, say, a monogomas person would.

Thats my rationale on the view of promescuity. Now lets all take off our pants and shoot DNA at each other.

-Danger-