Just a Social Norm?

Today I have found a somewhat sketchy source for this blog that if I were writing an English or History essay would not be valid.  It is authorless, and on a strange website with nothing but a series of essays, however; the essays are well written in my opinion and happen to be on the topics of on polygamy, marriage, love etc.

This authorless essay, that I have provided a link to, provides both pros and cons of polygamy. Based on the content, it seems to me that the author him/herself is a supporter of polygamy and is trying to understand the other side of the coin while also trying to prove to readers that polygamy is not a problem .  This perspective provides some interesting view on what is and is not actually acceptable and natural in human relationships.   

Although there are many interesting pros and cons brought up in the essay, the most interesting point, in my opinion, is that, according to the author, the act of polygamy is nothing more than the breaking of a social norm (monomgamy).

"What?" was the first thing that occurred to me after reading this the first time.  But after some thought I realized that the author might just be right.  In class, we have been talking about how social norms are things that society deems acceptable or unacceptable and subsequently provides either positive or negative sanctions for.  Studies have shown that humans are naturally polygamous creatures so why exactly do the vast majority of us feel the need to find a single person to dedicate our lives to? Is it because we feel pressured by society to do so? Does marriage fit into the category of a social norm? Is polygamy simply someone going against the grain and breaking it?

Think about it.