Alright, people, here’s a good one. Whenever we talk about relationships, most of us tend to equate commitment with monogamy. But how innate is monogamy to the human species? How natural is this one-mate-for-life business for us really? Apparently, not one bit.

According to many biologists and fellow hornitologists, monogamy is virtually nonexistent among mammals. Some of the few species that have been labeled “monogamous” in the past are now being reconsidered and stripped of their misawarded titles. Here’s the scoop on mammalians: aside from a few rodents and a cluster of four-legged critters of little or no consequence to this debate, the short list of monogamous primates still includes Tamarins and Marmosets (never heard of either—guess it’s true that they don’t get around). While Gibbons, once believed to be monogamous, have recently shown their true cheating colors beyond any reasonable doubt. Now, do you see “human beings” anywhere on that list? No, and you probably never will.

Apparently, monogamy is not for the birds either. Once considered the winged symbols of fidelity, their alleged widespread monogamous behavior has now turned out to be mostly, well, birdshit. Many avian species, in fact, just like us primates (yes, we are primates—evolution is real, people!), when examined more closely, have only proven to be socially monogamous, NOT sexually monogamous. In other words: they do nest and take care of their mates and progeny, but, whenever possible, they sample the joys of sex outside of nestlock. Sounds familiar?

“Oh yes, it does,” confirms Laila H. (28, legal assistant). “Many men are great providers and take care of their families, send their kids to college and all that stuff. But then you see them in bars at happy hour, rings off their fingers, trying to hit on single girls like me. It’s kinda sad.”

Does that mean that only men “diversify”? “Nah, women are just as bad,” opines Stephen L. (34, personal trainer). “Guys have the reputation, but I see some women here at the gym hooking up left and right. The older ones, especially; those 40-plussers can be real aggressive.”

Then here’s a burning question: why do we fight our polyamorous nature and impose monogamy on ourselves, if we are not “built” for it? Many reasons, actually…

Tell us yours.