Subscribe now

WOMEN only stay with men for security, and men only stay with women for sex.
It’s a cynical view of human relationships, but researchers now say it is the
driving force behind the evolution of monogamy—and women started it. By
offering sex all the time, females in monogamous species disguise whether they
are fertile and trick males into sticking around.

In most species, females only have sex when they are fertile. This is because
sex takes energy, and carries the risk of disease. But it also means males can
easily tell which females are fertile, so they don’t waste…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

Popular articles

Trending New Scientist articles

Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop