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Cultures of Multiple Fathers: The Theory and Practice of Partible Paternity in Lowland South America

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Beckerman and Valentine have collected a series of anthropological essays that call into question the generally-accepted view of human sexuality, which they call The Standard Model. Essentially, the accounts presented here show that there are many cultures -- with no contact between them -- that believe a baby is composed of accumulated semen. Consequently, their babies can have several different fathers (partible paternity), if several men had sex with the mother. These accounts offer first-hand anthropological accounts of cultures in which sperm competition is ubiquitous and sexual monogamy is discouraged or even prohibited. They are essential reading for anyone who seeks evidence for questioning the standard "humans are monogamous" Darwinian line. Quite overpriced for such a slim volume; get your library to order a copy.