culture = biology

posted on June 26, 2024

i’ve never been fully satisfied with the explanations that many modern theories give about how biological sex and culture mesh and interact with each other.

this post is a mix of observations, personal experiences, and reading on evolutionary psychology. as such, those are my OWN opinions, and they can be wrong. just… LET ME COOK, OKAY?

i will start by listing some baseline opinions:

sex (and gender, for that matter) is an incredibly complex topic, especially when you start looking at biology, anatomy, etc.
males and females, ON AVERAGE, have such different (evolutionary) roles that they might as well be considered different species.
- this does invalidate the fact that individuals from both sexes can fall outside of those boundaries.
- this is a result of evolution, i don’t see it as a morally good or bad thing; it just is.
- it’s not clickbait, fuck off. i really believe that.
the differences between sexes arise MOSTLY due to evolution and survival, and NOT principally due to modern culture. tho, modern culture/society does indeed play a smaller part.
- the way i see it, evolution shapes modern society more than modern society shapes evolution (duh, hope it makes sense tho.)

wtf is sex anyways?

all biological processes stem from the need to replicate genes. when genes copy, mistakes can happen. even though there are repair mechanisms, errors still occur and build up over time. these errors can make organisms non-viable, infertile, or impaired, leading to death eventually. because of this, reproduction is essential in biology. survival isn’t the main goal; reproduction is.

WHAT ARE WAYS TO OPTIMIZE REPRODUCTION?

sex helps deal with gene replication errors. instead of cloning genes, sex involves combining half the genes from two individuals, mixing them up. this process, called recombination, can help distribute harmful mutations more evenly, but it doesn’t solve the problem entirely. the key to the success of sex is having two different mating types, which helps in getting rid of bad genes more effectively than recombination alone.

by designating half of the individuals to focus on reproduction, like conceiving fertilized eggs, gestating, giving birth, and nurturing offspring to adulthood, these individuals (females) can avoid dealing with the accumulation of gene replication errors. instead, this task is given to the other half (males). this is the main reason males exist. even though only a small proportion of males are needed to impregnate all females, males still make up about half the population. females don’t typically exceed 50% of the population. having a roughly equal number of males and females is an evolutionarily stable balance.

WE CAN UNDERSTAND EVOLUTION AS A MISSION TO INCREASE REPRODUCTIVE EFFICIENCY AND MINIMIZING INVESTMENT/RISK.

the task of addressing the main problem in biological systems is essentially assigned to the male side of the lineage. unlike females, males a greater responsibility on exposing their genes to natural selection. males that show some kind of weakness or lack of prowess, due to having sub-optimal, below-average, or inferior genes, are identified and eliminated.

there much more natural and sexual selection acting on males. we now know that mammals show more genetic variation from the father. for example, if a harmful mutation is inherited from the mother, it won’t be expressed as strongly as it would be if inherited from the father. this means there is much more selection pressure on male-derived genetic material, by design.

the empathy gap and how it relates to reproduction

females employ rigorous selection criteria when choosing mates (genetic/selective filter)

this means that males are subject to intense scrutiny, with only those displaying desirable traits deemed suitable for reproduction. this is also due to the investment required for offspring, which after reproduction, mainly fall on females (parental investment theory)

the biological imperative to use the ‘genetic filter’ function means that all males are assessed and considered unworthy unless proven otherwise.

from a biological perspective, males compete for sexual access. this fosters traits such as aggression and risk-taking, which are advantageous for reproductive success BUT also contribute to higher variability in male success rates.

[!] within our system, most males are losers to a greater or lesser degree, with only a small minority being particularly successful.

in contrast, women would need to behave extremely badly to receive disapproval from males; otherwise, they are well-regarded. from as young as five years old, both boys and girls have more positive attitudes towards females. this positive view remains stable for girls and becomes even stronger for boys as they grow into adulthood.

why competition matters in reproduction

competition is a naturally occurring behavior in males that is deeply related to (1) reproduction and (2) the male hierarchy.

males are naturally more competitive than females. this isn’t just about culture; it’s deeply rooted in biology. from an early age, boys are driven to compete with each other. this helps them establish dominance and improve their social standing. winning is very rewarding for males, and even losing can push them to try harder or find new areas to compete in. for guys, competition is in their nature.

this intense drive to compete means that males often end up at both extremes of performance – they can be either the top achievers or the ones who struggle the most. this isn’t just seen in sports or games but in many aspects of life. men thrive on challenging each other, and this helps them improve and stand out.

even when males lose, they are often motivated to switch gears and find a new way to win. this can make them seem flaky, but it’s actually a smart strategy. they focus their efforts on where they have the best chance to succeed. this risk-taking behavior has big pay-offs because the top males can have a lot of success in passing on their genes.

in contrast, females tend to back away from competition. they might not enjoy it as much, and winning doesn’t motivate them in the same way. this isn’t a flaw but a different strategy that has worked for them evolutionarily. women often focus on cooperation and social bonds, which are just as important for survival and success.

prominent ways in which males and females behave differently

1. social groups

both sexes gravitate towards different forms of social groups. men form large, hierarchical groups to compete for status and resources. women form smaller, more intimate groups to support each other, ESPECIALLY when raising children. these patterns are seen across many cultures, suggesting a biological basis rather than just social influence.

2. stress and aggression

another big point is how men and women respond to stress and conflict. men are more likely to react to stress with aggression and competition because this helped them in evolutionary terms to fight off rivals. women tend to seek social support and cooperation because these behaviors helped them protect and nurture their offspring. these responses are hardwired and not just taught by society

3. mate selection

women evolved to choose mates who could provide good genes and protection. this led to men developing traits that make them more competitive and dominant. it’s not just that society teaches men to be aggressive; it’s that women historically chose partners who were strong and able to protect them and their children.

4. evolutionary roles

men and women evolved to have different roles to help the survival of the species. men often competed with each other for mates, which made them more aggressive and competitive. women, on the other hand, had to care for children, which made them more nurturing and cooperative. these roles weren’t purely chosen by society.

5. role of hormones

hormones like testosterone and estrogen play a crucial role in shaping behaviors. testosterone, which is higher in men, is linked to aggression, competitiveness, and risk-taking behaviors. estrogen, higher in women, is associated with nurturing and social bonding. these hormonal influences are deeply rooted in biology, affecting behavior from a very young age and across different cultures.

6. developmental differences

boys and girls show different developmental trajectories. boys tend to develop spatial and physical skills faster, while girls often develop verbal and social skills earlier. these differences are seen universally and suggest a biological basis rather than being purely the result of socialization.

7. stress coping mechanisms

men and women have evolved different mechanisms for coping with stress. men are more likely to exhibit the “fight or flight” response, which is linked to their historical roles in hunting and defense. women are more inclined to the “tend and befriend” response, fostering social bonds to cope with stress, which aligns with their roles in child-rearing and community building.

8. mate preferences

men and women have evolved different preferences in mates. men often prioritize physical attractiveness and youth, indicators of fertility, while women prioritize resources and status, indicators of the ability to provide and protect. these preferences are seen across cultures and are driven by biological imperatives rather than purely social constructs.

9. reproductive strategies

men can enhance their reproductive success by mating with multiple partners, while women, having a limited number of eggs and longer gestation periods, benefit more from selecting high-quality mates and ensuring their offspring’s survival. these strategies are deeply rooted in biology and shape behaviors in significant ways

and here’s why all of that is actually good (just hear me out)

if you’ve actually read all of the garbage above (i seriously applaud you), it’s mayhaps time for the actual good part of my thesis.

so far i’ve tried to, objectively, list differences in the sexes and WHY they exist (cough cough evolution)
in short, those differences are actually a good thing and when you combine both sides of the puzzle, something beautiful happens.

1. social harmony

as said above, men and women naturally form different kinds of social networks, which when melded together, create a strong, supportive community. men’s larger, looser networks are good for gathering information and resources, while women’s close-knit groups provide emotional support and stability. these networks support each other and contribute to a healthier society.

2. parenting

children benefit from having both a mother and a father because they receive a mix of care and guidance. mothers often provide emotional support and nurturing, while fathers can offer discipline and encouragement to take risks. this combination helps children grow into well-rounded individuals.

3. complementary strengths

men and women have different strengths that balance each other out. men’s physical strength and competitive nature can be crucial for protection and building resources. women’s nurturing and cooperative skills are essential for caring for children and maintaining social bonds. together, these strengths create a balanced and resilient community.

a final note

now that i’ve let that out of my system, i’d like to add a few, final remarks.

even if i deeply believe that both sexes are fundamentally different (with nuances in-between), we STILL have to (1) work together with respect and care for each other and (2) see people as individuals that happen to be born a specific sex.