Infidelity is a tough subject to tackle. Just take a look a the heated debate in the comments over on Tom Matlack’s piece “Are You Faithful?”
But Artis Jenkins hasn’t let that deter him. As founder of the Manogamy Movement—a blog, a brand, a voice—he has started an important conversation about why it’s still manly to be monogamous.
We want men to know that it is okay to remain faithful to your significant other. We aim to serve as a support system for men who want to be monogamous. Through having discussions on the topic, we aim to eliminate one of the biggest threats to relationships.
Instigated by the Tiger Woods scandal, the Manogamy Movement is a fresh voice that is rarely heard in today’s media jungle.
I knew that it was going to be hard to get men on board, but that’s why there’s a need for this site. Women have long championed the cause of fidelity. I believe that society’s views on fidelity will not change until it receives men’s imprimatur.
We caught up with Jenkins to ask him a few questions:
What made you create the Manogamy Movement? Why is it important?
I created the Manogamy Movement because I thought it was time society rethought the role of men in relationships. People think “monogamous man” is an oxymoron. Can you blame them? Just think of all the scandals involving males in the past few years alone.
Women have long championed the cause of monogamy and commitment. I realized that the only way men were going to get on board with this would be for the cause to be led by a man. I believe that if men see more males who publicly affirm their commitment to relationships, we will think twice before stepping out. Also, by creating a support network, we can have people to turn to when issues arise.
Are you a good man? Why or why not?
I am now. I’ve learned a lot about myself in the past few years and in the process hurt a lot of women. I am now 100% monogamous because I’ve matured and know what I am looking for in a woman.
I wouldn’t start a pro-monogamy/anti-infidelity movement without knowing I could practice what I preached.
What makes a good man, in your eyes?
I think a good man is a man of integrity. A good man should engage in honest dealings and not try to rip people off. A good man should feel convicted for even attempting to cheat. Like they say, integrity is doing the right thing when no one is looking.
Who has been the ultimate good man in your life?
Hands down, my father. My father has been married to my mother for nearly 28 years. He’s a gentleman; he doesn’t drink or smoke, and he treats my mother like a princess every day. My belief in the power of love is a direct consequence of my upbringing.
I’ve always been a mama’s boy, but as I grew up I became more and more like my father. Despite going to his rivals for both undergrad and grad school, I joined his fraternity. He never persuaded me to either; my personality just aligned with the Alphas on campus.
I now go to him for advice before I talk to my mother. As I start thinking about “adult stuff” like marriage, I can’t think of a better man to go to for advice. It’s not just me either; my father is a professor at Morehouse College and his students literally call him for advice.
What other men would you nominate as a Man of the Day? What guys, like you, are doing equally awesome things?
I think Mr. Bill Keyes should be selected as a Man of the Day. Mr. Keyes is the Founder of the Institute for Responsible Citizenship (I4RC.org). The I4RC is a two-year internship program for high-achieving African-American males that essentially teaches us what it means to be a good man. During my summers with the Institute, I took etiquette classes, golf lessons, and engaged in many discussions with brilliant minds on subjects from the nation’s founding to plans of eliminating poverty.