Is the stigma justified?

The question began simply, "Would you partake in having sex with someone other than your spouse while remaining completely within your relationship with him or her?" The answer most often received was, "Obviously not, my boyfriend [girlfriend] is my only lover and I have no intentions of having it any other way! ...How would that be possible anyway?"

Sex might have began as that instinctive special act of procreation that we indulged in as mammals. But the minute man invented the condom, it was clear that this was an act that we simply didn't want to restrict for procreation. In today's society it is far more widespread. People indulge in it all the time and at many times just socially with someone we might have not known for very long. However there is a social stigma attached to this. This act is only meant to be performed with someone who you are married to, seriously committed to or atleast thinking about serious committment with. Everything else is taboo.

If such 'laws' are adhered to, it could leave persons who are dissatisfied with their spouse's sexual nature disgruntled and frustrated. And what's worse, they might love each other for everything else but this one quality but might sometimes be forced to end the relationship because of its inexclusivity.

Man is a social animal. The advantage for any animal including man, to exist as a group are many, but one of the biggest drawbacks is the speed with which any fatal disease can wipe out the entire group. Sexually transmitted disease has been top on the list for a very long time. Since the desire to procreate and propogate the species is so intense, this disease was sure to claim every adult in the group. This has existed in chimpanzee colonies as well as in humans.

When this was recognized by humans, we took steps to control the spreading of such diseases within our groups by instituting marriages and other such binds which required a couple to practice sex only between themselves and no other. This ensured the continuance of large groups as well as the localizing of the spread of any sexually transmitted disease. Along with the institution of marriages, we got rid of our prostitutes - the women who civilizations has known by many names including mistresses, harlots, vaishya's and concubines. These women were revered, considered of high status, and commanded considerable power and respect in society. But today they are considered with such disregard and are outlawed in many countries around the world.

But the world is so very different from those times. Medicine has progressed so much and we now have the benefit of contraception (if used correctly) and abortion (if used incorrectly). So if one were to propose that sex be treated as a simple activity just like playing sports, participating in debates or even playing computer games, it wouldn't be such an outlandish idea because we have the tools necessary to make this a safe possibility. And going further, if groups of people were to engage in this act together, there is the greater benefit of people staying within relationships even if the sex isn't good enough.

There are however implementation issues apart from the social stigma attached to such behavior. There is the emotional aspects that need to be taken care of as was observed by Kinsey in his revolutionary report on the subject. But in theory, if couples were to choose their partners carefully, for instance choosing other couples who they both cared about as much, it might be possible to instill this concept without adverse effects. And then again this lifestyle is not meant for everyone, just the ones who would like it.

Anyway, this is just a theory. What's your opinions on the subject?