Monogamy is the practice of being in a romantic relationship with one person at a time. Traditional monogamy in the context of a marriage is usually regarded as having one marriage partner in a lifetime. More commonly, it is referred to in the context of serial monogamy, meaning one person has one exclusive partner at a time but may have a number of monogamous partners in a lifetime.
Monogamy is accepted as a societal norm and is the preferred relationship type for the majority of the Western population. Unlike those in polyamorous or open relationships, monogamous people often enjoy legal benefits, face less risk of STIs and feel more secure. Even though there is no right way to have a relationship and different types suit different people, some choose monogamy because it is the accepted norm.
