Serial monogamy
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Serial monogamy is a form of monogamy in which participants have only one sexual partner at any one time, but have more than one sexual partner in their lifetime. Partners can be married or unmarried, but there are never more than one at a time. Within Western culture, this form of monogamy is considerably more prevalent than 'true' monogamy, which is having only one partner in an entire life.
Serial monogamy could also be seen as serial, but not monogamous. It is a form of polygamy wherein the multiple spouses are had "in series" (one after the other) rather than "in parallel" (at the same time).
The term "serial monogamy" is more often descriptive than prescriptive: relatively few people consciously expect or want their relationships to end. (This may in part be due to social norms, conventions, and expectations.) It has a significant pejorative connotation, as it is rarely used by proponents or practioners of this type of lifestyle (see defenders of monogamy). It is more often used by polyamorists, polygamists and other potential critics of monogamy.
Technically, any animals (including humans) who do not mate with one partner for life can be considered "serially monogamous", this includes those who mate with another only upon the death of a spouse. In more common usage, serial monogamy tends to refer to a series of generally monogamous relationships which can often include more than one marriage.
See also
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