Hypergamy: Difference between revisions

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===Bodyguard hypothesis===
===Bodyguard hypothesis===
Another explanation for hypergamy may be that women naturally choose the most powerful man available.  Being physically weak and largely devoid of social power, they needed protection from other contending males in order for their relationship to be stable and uncontested (bodyguard hypothesis).<ref>https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4615-5985-6_21</ref> Provided that women have on average more suitors than men, this implies an overall tendency for women to date up, especially when the most powerful/dominant men engage in polygyny or ''de facto'' polygyny such as serial monogamy (remarrying often), thus effectively hoarding a substantial share of females.
Another explanation may be that hypergamy comes from women preferring the most powerful man available to them.  Being physically weak and largely devoid of social power as a result of greater [[Bateman's principle|parental investment]], women need to secure the most powerful male possible for their relationship and offspring to be protected from contending males ([[bodyguard hypothesis]]).<ref>https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4615-5985-6_21</ref> Provided that women have on average more suitors than men, this implies an overall tendency for women to date up, especially when the most powerful/dominant men engage in polygyny or ''de facto'' polygyny such as serial monogamy (remarrying often), thus effectively hoarding a substantial share of females.


Women marrying up also agrees with evidence that humans are naturally a moderately polygynous species,<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polygamy</ref>  
Women marrying up also agrees with evidence that humans are naturally a moderately polygynous species,<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polygamy</ref>  
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