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This results in an evolutionary arms race between males causing males to evolve to be more stronger and taller than the females. Some males (typically a minority) are predicted to shortcut the competition by directly coercing females into sex ([[rape]]) and threaten or kill the offspring (infanticide) for their own [[Reproductive success#Violent_reproductive_strategies|reproductive advantage]]. This, in turn, predicts females should evolve to prefer a strong partner who can protect herself and the offspring, especially when in case the coersive male is of low genetic quality. Protective males also defend their own reproductive interests as well as augment a female's ability to survive and reproduce.<ref>https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4615-5985-6_21</ref> | This results in an evolutionary arms race between males causing males to evolve to be more stronger and taller than the females. Some males (typically a minority) are predicted to shortcut the competition by directly coercing females into sex ([[rape]]) and threaten or kill the offspring (infanticide) for their own [[Reproductive success#Violent_reproductive_strategies|reproductive advantage]]. This, in turn, predicts females should evolve to prefer a strong partner who can protect herself and the offspring, especially when in case the coersive male is of low genetic quality. Protective males also defend their own reproductive interests as well as augment a female's ability to survive and reproduce.<ref>https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4615-5985-6_21</ref> | ||
== | == Humans == | ||
In humans, such bodyguarding may play an additional role due to the rather relatively large share of resources that males provide. For the support of the offspring a long-term bond of at least 10 years is hence highly conductive to [[reproductive success]], especially in [[life history|K-selected ecologies]]. For such bonds to be stable, it is required that the male is the most dominant one the woman can attract as otherwise a more dominant could contest that bond. | In humans, such bodyguarding may play an additional role due to the rather relatively large share of resources that males provide. For the support of the offspring a long-term bond of at least 10 years is hence highly conductive to [[reproductive success]], especially in [[life history|K-selected ecologies]]. For such bonds to be stable, it is required that the male is the most dominant one the woman can attract as otherwise a more dominant could contest that bond. | ||