Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
I’ve written before that when someone asks about my hobbies, I usually say cycling, chess and monogamy. I’m trying to be funny, and anyone who has seen me on a bike or playing chess will have a bemused smile.
But apparently the subject of ‘cleaving unto thee only’ is grounds for scientific inquiry.
The Wall Street Journal reported about a study written by Mark Dyble, a University of Cambridge evolutionary anthropologist. He attempted to determine which species are more monogamous than others. Clearly important research with wide ranging implications. Here are the results
The methodology is suspect, especially in the case of humans. The study measured the frequency of half siblings: same mother with genetically different fathers. More half siblings means less monogamous behavior. But not all human dalliances result in offspring. We humans have ways to take precautions. Or post coital-cautions.
But there are exceptions that I think the professor missed which might push humanity down the list. Back when the SNAP funding was put on hold by the budget battle, some moms took to social media to demand assistance.
“It is the taxpayer’s responsibility to take care of my kids,” one emotional mother said in a video posted online.
Of course it is. Glad to do it. Then someone else chimed in:
“Because of the government shutdown, now I can’t get my SNAPs for next month,” she shared on social media.”
The user went on to ask how she was supposed to feed her seven (! ed.) children.
“I have seven different baby daddies and none of ‘em no good for me,” she said.
I found this so outrageous that I suspected she was simply trolling and trying to get a lot of clicks and shares and heated comments. But if it is true Professor Dyble has another data point that may change the rankings.
Here on Brumby Road we operate in California deermouse territory, although if there are any of those under our house they won’t be there long after they eat the mouse bait. They may be virtuous, but they are still vermin.
Rich Freggiaro Cycling Blog 