serial monogamy
Quick Summary
Serial monogamy is a practice where individuals are permitted to marry only one spouse at a time but are allowed to change spouses repeatedly. This differs from lifelong monogamy, which is a contract that can only be broken under specific penalties. While the term "serial monogamy" is primarily used in a sociological context concerning human marriage practices, the concept of repeated pair-bonding and subsequent dissolution can be observed in animal behavior as well. In animal behavior, this can manifest as socially monogamous relationships within a season that are followed by acquiring new mates in subsequent seasons.12
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