Cuckolding: A Phenomenon of Sexual Evolution
Natasha Parakh
Human Sexuality
Final Paper
Cuckolding: A Phenomenon of Sexual Evolution
The word cuckold has its origins in Old French, from the term cucu or cucualt, which refers to the Cuckoo bird. While majority of Cuckoos do raise their own offspring, it has been noticed that a significant number are brood parasites. This implies the female bird would lay her eggs in the nest of other birds whose eggs are similar to the cuckoos. The term ‘cuckold’ came to be used to refer to men whose wives had been unfaithful (‘taking up in someone else’s nest’), as humans we are culturally usually expected to be monogamous, anything else is deemed as counterintuitive. However, many couples now are now exploring alternatives to monogamy (Haag, 2011). Swinging and various types of polyamory are some of the more popular alternatives, and usually mean the same thing for both or all in the relationship. Cuckolding is unique in its self, usually initiated by the male partner (Ley, 2009), who is the cuckold, and wants to witness his partner having consensual sex with another male. It piqued my interest because it seems to go against the popular evolutionary themes of male possessive behavior. Theories of evolution have been quite male centric and marred by various degrees of patriarchy. The popular evolutionary model seems to state that men have a biological programmed to have multiple sexual partners, and at the same time supports jealousy at sexual ‘infidelity’ and mate guarding (Harris, 2002). While the male cuckold is more prevalent, cuckolding is not exclusively restricted to the male. The female counter part of the cuckold is termed ‘cuckquean.’ Couples who take part in these fantasies or fetishes usually have an intimate relationship that they are committed to (Savage, 2008).
Ley (2010) wrote an article in response to Ryan and Jetha’s book, Sex at Dawn (2010) stating some reasons for cuckolding. Sperm competition seems to be a biological response, a male watches his
Human Sexuality
Final Paper
Cuckolding: A Phenomenon of Sexual Evolution
The word cuckold has its origins in Old French, from the term cucu or cucualt, which refers to the Cuckoo bird. While majority of Cuckoos do raise their own offspring, it has been noticed that a significant number are brood parasites. This implies the female bird would lay her eggs in the nest of other birds whose eggs are similar to the cuckoos. The term ‘cuckold’ came to be used to refer to men whose wives had been unfaithful (‘taking up in someone else’s nest’), as humans we are culturally usually expected to be monogamous, anything else is deemed as counterintuitive. However, many couples now are now exploring alternatives to monogamy (Haag, 2011). Swinging and various types of polyamory are some of the more popular alternatives, and usually mean the same thing for both or all in the relationship. Cuckolding is unique in its self, usually initiated by the male partner (Ley, 2009), who is the cuckold, and wants to witness his partner having consensual sex with another male. It piqued my interest because it seems to go against the popular evolutionary themes of male possessive behavior. Theories of evolution have been quite male centric and marred by various degrees of patriarchy. The popular evolutionary model seems to state that men have a biological programmed to have multiple sexual partners, and at the same time supports jealousy at sexual ‘infidelity’ and mate guarding (Harris, 2002). While the male cuckold is more prevalent, cuckolding is not exclusively restricted to the male. The female counter part of the cuckold is termed ‘cuckquean.’ Couples who take part in these fantasies or fetishes usually have an intimate relationship that they are committed to (Savage, 2008).
Ley (2010) wrote an article in response to Ryan and Jetha’s book, Sex at Dawn (2010) stating some reasons for cuckolding. Sperm competition seems to be a biological response, a male watches his
References: Baker, R. (1996). Sperm Wars: Infidelity, Sexual Conflict and Other Bedroom Battles. London: Fourth Estate. Haag, P Harris, C. R. (2002). Sexual and romantic jealousy in heterosexual and homosexual adults. Psychological Science, 13 (1), pp. 7-12 Lehmiller, J Ley, D. (2009). Women Who Stray and the Men Who Love Them. Rowman and Littlefield. Ley, D Linder E. (2006). Making Enemies: Humiliation and International Conflict. London: Praeget Security International. Ogas, O Rufus, A. (2010). The intellectual sex fetish. The Daily Beast. Retrieved May, 2014 from http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2010/07/29/cuckolding-the-sex-fetish-for-intellectuals.html Ryan, C Sacher-Masoch, L. (1980). Venus in Furs. Savage, D. (2008). Gentlemen First. Retrieved May, 2014, from http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/SavageLove?oid=643679