Bringing up former partner stinking -- one male to forget (8)

'bringing up' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with social activities as well as being present participle verbs.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'former partner stinking one male to forget' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'former' could be 'ex' (prefix meaning former or onetime) and 'ex' is found within the answer.
'partner' could be 'n' and 'n' is found within the answer.
'one' could be 'i' (Roman numeral) and 'i' is found within the answer.
'male' could be 'm' (common abbreviation) and 'm' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'hug' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?