Extramarital Affairs – Is this something “New”?
Living in the 21st century with the world changing at the blink of an eye and things moving at such a rapid pace, it’s no wonder that extramarital affairs are also on the rise. However is extramarital affair a new age problem or has it existed since the start of civilization.
Let’s take a trip back in time… it has been documented in history that in the early days of living in tribes or clans, there exist a certain ceremony to mark the union of two opposite sex partners. This is proof that ever since humans started living in structured society, we have subscribed to the belief that the union of two people of the opposite sex is the best way to build a family, raise kids, protect from threat and provide food and shelter.
Thru time, societies evolved and within each culture, the marriage bond took on an increased significance. Although different societies depict this union differently, the one thing that they share in common across cross cultural bond is monogamy. Monogamy, the universally accepted fact of a marriage union! Yet despite the inclination towards marriage and the fact that marriage partners have to remain monogamous, people have been indulging in non-monogamous activities throughout history.
Perhaps the most evident historic evidence that extramarital affairs have existed for a long, long time is the inclusion of extramarital affairs as a sin in the Ten Commandments. Extramarital affairs are frown upon by society and religion. It has been ingrained in us since childhood that affairs are wrong. And yet, extramarital affairs still persists thru time and have proven to be an occurrence that we have to deal with.
Stories of sordid affairs have many a times dominated the news headlines. Indiscretion of the rich and famous often hogged the limelight throughout history. Suffice to say that extramarital affairs are not “new” problems but is something that has existed since the start of civilization. The difference lies in the way the affairs are being sensationalized for public consumption and the fact that with the internet, news travel faster and further may give the impression that the people of today are more promiscuous than their forefathers.
Let’s take a trip back in time… it has been documented in history that in the early days of living in tribes or clans, there exist a certain ceremony to mark the union of two opposite sex partners. This is proof that ever since humans started living in structured society, we have subscribed to the belief that the union of two people of the opposite sex is the best way to build a family, raise kids, protect from threat and provide food and shelter.
Thru time, societies evolved and within each culture, the marriage bond took on an increased significance. Although different societies depict this union differently, the one thing that they share in common across cross cultural bond is monogamy. Monogamy, the universally accepted fact of a marriage union! Yet despite the inclination towards marriage and the fact that marriage partners have to remain monogamous, people have been indulging in non-monogamous activities throughout history.
Perhaps the most evident historic evidence that extramarital affairs have existed for a long, long time is the inclusion of extramarital affairs as a sin in the Ten Commandments. Extramarital affairs are frown upon by society and religion. It has been ingrained in us since childhood that affairs are wrong. And yet, extramarital affairs still persists thru time and have proven to be an occurrence that we have to deal with.
Stories of sordid affairs have many a times dominated the news headlines. Indiscretion of the rich and famous often hogged the limelight throughout history. Suffice to say that extramarital affairs are not “new” problems but is something that has existed since the start of civilization. The difference lies in the way the affairs are being sensationalized for public consumption and the fact that with the internet, news travel faster and further may give the impression that the people of today are more promiscuous than their forefathers.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home