An alternate Framework to Monogamous Marriage

*In case you are wondering this article is satirical in nature, partly due to the reason is a constraint of time and effort prevents me from offering a better researched framework.
*It can/will only work in a world where all adults are financially independent
*I do not advocate it
*It is an advancement of frameworks proposed by real academics whose names elude me at the moment

So if the very essence of monogamy is unnatural and its purpose undermined, why are we still practicing (or at least, pretending, to practice monogamy?) Of course it is still very much the norm and there are still many traditional families that harness its beneficial arrangements, but at the rate contemporary society is progressing, we may perhaps better off exploring viable alternatives to monogamy. Are there any other plausible “social structures” that could work, which emphasises on individual liberty but is not completely self centered and protects the crucial interests of childbirth and child nurturing?

Here is a simplified version of a framework I envision for the (not-so) near future which requires a few structures in place (ie they complement each other and should be read as one entirety rather than individually)

The crux would be the focus on the 'children contracts' (admittedly a more pleasant term should be coined for it) as opposed to a marriage and the inclusion of recognition of the rights of homosexual's right to children. Such a framework takes care of homosexual rights, the right to children, the right not to have children, the right to choice of one or multiple partners, and also the issue of population regeneration.

Liberal culture

Borrowing heavily from the hippies, there are no constraints or limitations towards absolute sexual liberation. Rather than staying committed to a single partner, everyone may have consensual sexual relations with anyone else without falling foul of the law. When a child is born, they can either be sent to a 'nurture agency' or be cared for under terms of a 'child contract'.

Children Contracts

Rather than instituting the union of two individuals (ie marriage), a legal agreement is reached between two parties upon conception of a child. A contract determining the terms of the child's welfare such as how the child is taken care of and how much each of them must contribute to his upkeep are agreed upon. These give both parties the freedom to move on to other partners if they desire, without the implications of divorce. They can also opt to stick together, and on their decision to have another child, simply go through another contract.

Genetic Agencies

Rather than marrying and raising a family, perhaps it is possible that there are “genetic agencies” which collect both male sperm and female eggs. Any persons of legal age may be obliged to deposit genetic material.*

Naturally, genetic data will be identifiable but confidential. When a donor wants a baby, he will select a donor of the opposite sex's egg or sperm to create the baby. He will have to get the consent of the other party and as such it is usually the case that the two parties will know each other.

If both parties are agreeable, they sign a contract on which terms such as how the child is taken care of (see above) and how much each of them must contribute to his upkeep are agreed upon. The genetic material is processed by completely artificial means and is an 'artificial' version of the Child Contract above.

Additionally, an 'opt-in' clause will permit a person to allow his genetic material to be used 'publicly'. In other words, the genetic material will be on a list which is open to potential 'genetic donees', those who may not have individual consenting partners.

This again is superior to a monogamous institution because minority lifestyles and rights are not infringed upon.(eg, homosexual couples and individuals). Provided they qualify, they are entitled to be a donee of genetic material and consequently parent to a child.

In addition to the 'child contract', a genetic bank would mean that 'superior' genetic material can be harnessed and propagated to ensure high quality children.*

*Obligation to donate genetic material may be deemed to infringe on individual liberty but it is a small price to pay for the amount of liberty gained in other ways.

Nurture Agencies

To complement these factories, nurture agencies could be implemented. These agencies will have specialists trained in the art of bringing up, teaching and caring for children. Thus if a baby is conceived, and neither parent has time or is willing to take care of him/her, he can be designated to these private or state-run nurture agencies. Hey, wait a minute, this sounds a bit like those child care agencies. However, in the future, the bleak outlook for monogamous marriages would mean that rather than merely having 'part time' agencies, 'full time' agencies who will be the children's nurturers will be essential (not unlike an orphanage). This will eliminate any possible chance of child abuse, neglect, slavery or abandonment.

These nurture agencies should be State run agencies and/or private institutions. The agency will have the responsibility of nurturing the child until he is self-sufficient. The accrued costs will be supported in turn by higher tax rates. In turn, the taxes will be spread out fairly among the populace, rather than having a disproportionate burden on parents in the current monogamy system (parents expenditure on children as compared to swinging single lifestyles)


Undoubted, this 'alternatate' framework has a somewhat hedonistic tendency.

It may seem inferior to a traditional monogamous marriage (one provider, one nurturer) structure, but i wouldn't say the same for a dual-provider marriage.

In such a framework, everyone, including the minorities, are taken care of and afforded equal treatment.

Those who prefer a traditional marriage framework,ie people predisposed to one life partner do not have their lifestyles compromised in such a framework. They can simply stick together, and adopt the 'Child contracts' whenever they have children. This requirement is necessary for the welfare of the child. There is no corresponding divorce proceedings, since this framework is envisioned for a future whereby all individuals are self-sustaining, making such a concept obsolete.

People predisposed to a childless lifestyle do not totally shirk their responsibilities of propogation by their obligations to donating their genetic material.

People who want to have children but are unable to for physiological or otherwise reasons are likewise able to bring up a child.