Paternal investment and the human mating system

Paternal investment has long been considered responsible for the evolution of predominantly monogamous marriage in humans. However, male-male competit ion resulting in mate-guarding and male coercion could be equally important . In this review, I use a comparative approach to examine the effect of var iation in human paternal investment on our mating system. I conclude patern al investment is important but so too is mate-guarding. I propose a model o f our mating system incorporating both factors. Variation in the mating sys tem is explained by variation in male resource control and contribution, re sulting in ecologically imposed monogamy or polygyny, as predicted by the p olygyny threshold model, as well as variation in male-male competition for status, resulting in socially imposed monogamy or polygyny. (C) 2000 Elsevi er Science B.V. All rights reserved.