Preference for sons and sex ratio in two non-Western societies

American Journal of Human Biology : the Official Journal of the Human Biology Council
E CrognierE Vargas

Abstract

Moroccan Berbers and the Bolivian Aymara are two unrelated peasant groups living in adverse environments with a still rather traditional agriculture. Precarious life conditions may be responsible for the importance given to male labor and hence for the cultural preference conferred on male descent. This preference, expressed in the social valorization of sons to the detriment of daughters, is more emphasized if the socioeconomic status of the family is lower. Interpreted according to the cost/benefit approach of Fisher (1958 Genetical Theory of Natural Selection, New York: Dover) of variations in the sex ratio and to its later developments (Trivers and Willard 1973 Science 179:90-91; Trivers 1985 Social Evolution, Menlo Park: Benjamin/Cummings; Hewlett 1991 J. Anthropol. Res. 47:1-37; Smith 1993 Ethol. Sociobiol. 14:39-44), these cultural characteristics could determine that parents bias the care allocated to their progeny in favor of sons, to the detriment of daughters. This could eventually affect their respective survival and finally modify the offspring tertiary sex ratio. This study compares differences in survival as indicators of parental care according to a child's sex and across three economic strata: poor, medium, and...Continue Reading

References

Oct 1, 1977·Annals of Human Genetics·J Rostron, W H James
May 1, 1991·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·S J Gaulin, C J Robbins
Jul 1, 1971·Journal of Biosocial Science·U M Cowgill, H B Johnson
Jan 1, 1971·Journal of Biosocial Science·M S Teitelbaum, N Mantel
Jul 1, 1997·Journal of Biosocial Science·S S Strickland, V R Tuffrey
Jul 20, 2001·American Journal of Human Biology : the Official Journal of the Human Biology Council·E CrognierM K Hilali
May 10, 2002·American Journal of Human Biology : the Official Journal of the Human Biology Council·E CrognierE Vargas
Feb 1, 1996·Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology·R Mace
Apr 1, 1991·Journal of Anthropological Research·B S Hewlett
Oct 25, 2002·Journal of Biosocial Science·E CrognierE Vargas
Jun 1, 1993·Human Nature : an Interdisciplinary Biosocial Perspective·J L Anderson, C B Crawford
Jun 1, 1993·Human Nature : an Interdisciplinary Biosocial Perspective·W C Mackey
Dec 1, 1991·Human Nature : an Interdisciplinary Biosocial Perspective·L Cronk
Jun 1, 1998·Human Nature : an Interdisciplinary Biosocial Perspective·M B Mulder

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Jan 15, 2014·BMC Pediatrics·Dennis J MatandaDorcus Mbithe D Kigaru
Sep 12, 2014·Italian Journal of Pediatrics·Pius C ManyikeAwoere T Chinawa
Nov 22, 2008·Social Science & Medicine·Caroline de HilariKirk A Dearden
Jun 18, 2009·American Journal of Human Biology : the Official Journal of the Human Biology Council·Sandra GrayMary Sundal
Feb 9, 2017·Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease·W SlemmingL M Richter
Jan 28, 2021·BMC Pediatrics·Janaína Calu Costa, Cesar G Victora

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.