Toxic monogamy, as defined by Hillary Berry in her article “Toxic Monogamy Culture,” refers to “monogamy as a cultural institution [that] has been interpreted and practiced in ways that are unhealthy.” These ideas are often romanticized or perpetuated in media, cultural norms, and social expectations.

What is strict monogamy?

Monogamy (/məˈnɒɡəmi/ mə-NOG-ə-mee) is a form of dyadic relationship in which an individual has only one partner during their lifetime—alternately, only one partner at any one time (serial monogamy)—as compared to non-monogamy (e.g., polygamy or polyamory).

What are the two types of monogamy?

Ultimately, she found there are actually two types of monogamy: radical monogamy and reflexive monogamy.

Why monogamy is toxic?

Toxic monogamy dictates that there is a hierarchy for love, with the romantic relationship on top. One must forsake all else—anything that threatens The Relationship, and even at times friends and family—in order to protect The Relationship.

Is being monogamous natural?

Monogamy in humans is beneficial because it increases the chances of raising offspring, but it is actually very rare in mammals – less than 10 per cent of mammal species are monogamous, compared with 90 per cent of bird species. Even in primates, where it is more common, only about a quarter of species are monogamous.

Is monogamy an owner?

Theres nothing inherently wrong or controlling about monogamy per se; monogamy, by itself, is not necessarily disempowering or ownership-based. But there is some truth to the notion that monogamy as a cultural norm comes with a set of social expectations that are deeply planted in the soil of ownership of others.