meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society

History of Monogamy

Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society

History Hit

Society, Sex, Scandal, Education, History

4.81.6K Ratings

🗓️ 21 May 2024

⏱️ 44 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

From the earliest iterations on the plains of Africa, to 21st century reconsiderations of it: are humans meant to be monogamous?


Joining Kate today is Helen Fisher, author of ANATOMY OF LOVE: A Natural History Of Mating, Marriage, And Why We Stray, to shed a light on our own relationship with this ancient social status.


How successful is it really? And will it survive well into the future?


This episode was edited by Tom Delargy. The producer was Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.


Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code BETWIXT sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscription/


You can take part in our listener survey here.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Hello my lovely Ben Twixters how are you doing I am doing fine thank you for asking but I think you know what has to come your way

0:07.9

that's right it's the fair dues warning this is an adult podcast spoken by adults to other adults

0:12.4

about adulty things in an adulty spoken by adults to other adults about adult things in an adult way,

0:14.1

covering the range of adult subjects and you should be an adult too.

0:18.0

Do you feel safer? Do you feel precious and looked after? I hope that you do because that's always my intent let's get on with the show

0:31.3

Picture the scene betwixters, it is approximately 4 million years ago and we are on the plains of Africa.

0:38.0

With an increasing scarcity of trees to forage amongst, our ancestors are taking their first bold steps on two legs to explore the world around them.

0:47.5

For mothers with young babies in their arms though, this presents a problem.

0:52.0

Yes, of course they can multitask but it is difficult to forage

0:56.2

for food with a baby hanging off you and defend against any potential threats. With the innate desire to further the species, men begin sticking to their side to do the very basic thing of helping out and before you know it, the monogamous relationship was born.

1:12.3

Or at least, this is how the theory goes.

1:15.9

But how successful has this relationship model been throughout history?

1:19.8

And will society always favour monogamy?

1:23.0

Wedding rings at the ready betwixters, let's do this. What do you look for a man?

1:35.0

Oh, money, close.

1:38.0

You're supposed to rise when an adult speaks to you.

1:41.0

I make perfect copies of whatever my boss needs by just turning a knob and pushing a button.

1:47.0

He or right! Now!

1:50.0

He or right! Now!

1:52.0

Yes, social courtesy does make a difference.

1:56.0

Goodness, what beautiful dance.

1:58.0

Goodness has nothing to do with it, dearie. Hello and

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from History Hit, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of History Hit and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.