Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id WAA05209 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Thu, 26 Apr 2001 22:03:51 +0100 From: <joedees@bellsouth.net> To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk Date: Thu, 26 Apr 2001 16:06:09 -0500 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT Subject: Something for the gender discussion. Message-ID: <3AE84772.22188.2C6F27@localhost> In-reply-to: <000601c0ce33$87db3d00$1c6410ac@tao.co.uk> X-mailer: Pegasus Mail for Win32 (v3.12c) Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_1296000/1296607.stm
>
> Long-term relationships are fundamentally dishonest. And it's all the
> fault of females.
>
> Scientists claim that monogamous relationships among many species,
> including humans, only persist because females have found a way to
> disguise whether they are fertile. The researchers claim that by
> offering sex anytime, but no clues as to whether they will conceive,
> females trick males into hanging round for a long time. The evolution
> of this deception is the only reason that monogamy has developed.
>
> [Oddly enough, William Burroughs once theorised that love was just a
> conspiracy on the part of women. Interesting that this research would
> seem to validate that view]
>
> New Scientist reports that two zoologists claim to have uncovered the
> dishonest heart of every faithful relationship. Magnus Enquist of
> Stockholm University and colleague Miguel Girones from the Netherlands
> Institute of Ecology have been modelling the development of monogamous
> relationships and claim that the state only develops when females
> start deceiving males about their fertility.
>
> In many species females often advertise their fertility with visual or
> chemical cues and, as a result, only suffer the amorous attentions of
> males when they are likely to conceive. They typically avoid too much
> sex because it takes energy and leaves them at the risk of contracting
> disease.
>
> This behaviour also helps males decide who to mate with, and when they
> can move on and try to spread their genes elsewhere. In many other
> species, such as humans, birds and porcupines, females hide their
> fertility and so keep males hanging round on the off-chance that they
> will conceive.
>
> This deception also discourages males from seeking other mates because
> they are just as likely to be fertile as the female the male has
> shacked up with claims Mr Enquist. The pair tested their theory in a
> mathematical model and found that males only stopped their roguish
> bachelor lifestyle when females start hiding their fertility.
>
> "Classical explanations of sexual behaviour always focus on the male,"
> Mr Enquist told New Scientist. "But this gives stronger focus on the
> woman."
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