Buss came up with a theory that aimed at resolving a contextual-evolutionary problem, which is related to mating strategies among individuals. The study established that both men and women have evolved some psychological systems that characterize both short and long-term strategies. His study revealed that human beings tend to resolve short-term mating issues as opposed to long-term.
A number of scholar differ on the role of strategy in mating, with some suggesting that it supports it is usually goal-oriented while others believing that it is made up of a force beyond an individual’s control. For some scholars, such as Freud and Jung, their view was that individuals seek in their mates features that resemble the characteristics of their opposite-sex parents.
For some scholars, such as Winch, an individual looks for a partner with a characteristic that him or herself does not have. In other words, the individual is interested in complementarily whereby the traits of the partner would strengthen his or her character. Based on this, it is true that mating in human beings is always strategic, which is influenced by an individual’s choice and preference.
Studies show that men have always pursued short-term mating, particularly when the benefits of reproduction outweigh the costs of maintaining such a relationship. Due to some differences between men and women, men would tend to go for short-term mating as opposed to women. Some cultural, social, and technological developments in the western world have shaped the mating system among men.
Cultural issues, such as reproductive opportunities, have influenced the development of short-term mating among men in the western societies. Women have to solve issues related to adaptation before engaging in short-term mating while men have the ability of adapting faster, giving them an opportunity to cope better.
This is a cultural issue since the society puts women in an inferior position and they have to understand the behavior of any man before engaging in a serious relationship, otherwise referred to as long-term mating. With some social developments, the issue of partner number has been of great concern to men in the western societies, which affects short-term mating.
The idea of having so many women is fading away, with social developments. In the traditional society, a man would engage several women in a relationship, but the current western society does not tolerant polygamy. The issue of accessibility to sex is another technological development that influences short-term mating among men. As a man relates with a woman, he explores the best ways through which sex could be accessed (Buss, 2012).
Based on the prevailing circumstances, short-term mating is more adaptive for men as far as survival is concerned. Consequently, reproduction is not the way it used to be because many factors are considered before committing oneself to a relationship.
Men try as much as possible to minimize costs and risks as they attempt to reduce commitment. Men are no longer interested in serious commitments that would consume their time. Short-term mating offers an alternative to men who are interested in wealth accumulation through business.
On their side, women are interested in forming relationships that would help them extract resources, the issue of gene quality, and formation of long-term relationships. These are some of the things that short-term mating in men tries to resolve, as it saves men from unnecessary expenditure.
Reference
Buss, D. (2012). Evolutionary Psychology: The New Science of the Mind. New York: Pearson.