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Homosexuality: Difference between revisions
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→Slow life history adaptations
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A large share of male homosexuals exhibits quite the opposite to fast [[life history]] traits, namely slow maturation and feminine traits. In fact, as an overall group, homosexuals tend to be feminized compared to the overall population. Harry (1982) found that 42 percent of his gay respondents were 'sissies' during childhood compared to only 11% in his heterosexual sample.<ref>Harry 1982</ref> Saghir and Robins (1973, 18) found that about one-third of their gay respondents deviated from gender norms, while only 3 percent of their heterosexual sample.<ref>Saghir and Robins (1973, 18)</ref> | A large share of male homosexuals exhibits quite the opposite to fast [[life history]] traits, namely slow maturation and feminine traits. In fact, as an overall group, homosexuals tend to be feminized compared to the overall population. Harry (1982) found that 42 percent of his gay respondents were 'sissies' during childhood compared to only 11% in his heterosexual sample.<ref>Harry 1982</ref> Saghir and Robins (1973, 18) found that about one-third of their gay respondents deviated from gender norms, while only 3 percent of their heterosexual sample.<ref>Saghir and Robins (1973, 18)</ref> | ||
The phenomenon of feminized homosexuals can either be explained by [[mutation|mutational load]] or toxins causing a [[feminization]] causing a feminine phenotype overall (including androphilia). Alternatively, adaptations for androphilia (to the extent it is adaptive at all) may developmentally necessitate an overall more feminine phenotype. An alternative explanation is that | The phenomenon of feminized homosexuals can either be explained by [[mutation|mutational load]] or toxins causing a [[feminization]] causing a feminine phenotype overall (including androphilia). Alternatively, adaptations for androphilia (to the extent it is adaptive at all) may developmentally necessitate an overall more feminine phenotype. An alternative explanation is that K-selection has acted on males and homosexuality, for example by the following mechanisms: | ||
*'''Self-domestication''': It has been suggested in recent human history, human males have been substantially selected to be nice to one another (domestication), with homosociality being one instance thereof and in which homosexuality serves as a means of bonding via intimacy.<ref>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02955/full</ref> This largely overlaps with the notion of alliances in Muscarella's theory. | *'''Self-domestication''': It has been suggested in recent human history, human males have been substantially selected to be nice to one another (domestication), with homosociality being one instance thereof and in which homosexuality serves as a means of bonding via intimacy.<ref>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02955/full</ref> This largely overlaps with the notion of alliances in Muscarella's theory, however here the access to resources (which are harder to secure in harsh/slow ecologies) exerts K-selection more immediately and may involve some male [[whore|pandering]] compared to just domestication. | ||
*'''Helper in the nest''': This hypothesis claims that gay males tend to help in the household increasing the [[reproductive success]] of siblings,<ref name="ref42"></ref>, helping relatives to survive by allocating to them material resources, childcare, and protection being freed from the burden of caring for one's own offspring,<ref>Wilson, E. O. (1975). ''Sociobiology: The new synthesis.'' Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.</ref><ref>Wilson, E. O. (1978). ''On human nature.'' Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press</ref> however homosexuals do not actually seem to exhibit more kinship behavior.<ref>https://www.researchgate.net/profile/J_Bailey2/publication/247233162_Is_male_homosexuality_maintained_via_kin_selection/links/5a09db03aca272d40f411b26/Is-male-homosexuality-maintained-via-kin-selection.pdf</ref> This also does not really explain bisexuality and exclusive homosexuality is rare, so it is unlikely to be under strong selection and rather explained by [[mutation]]s, while bisexuality is more prevalent and more likely adaptive. | *'''Helper in the nest''': This hypothesis claims that gay males tend to help in the household increasing the [[reproductive success]] of siblings,<ref name="ref42"></ref>, helping relatives to survive by allocating to them material resources, childcare, and protection being freed from the burden of caring for one's own offspring,<ref>Wilson, E. O. (1975). ''Sociobiology: The new synthesis.'' Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.</ref><ref>Wilson, E. O. (1978). ''On human nature.'' Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press</ref> however homosexuals do not actually seem to exhibit more kinship behavior.<ref>https://www.researchgate.net/profile/J_Bailey2/publication/247233162_Is_male_homosexuality_maintained_via_kin_selection/links/5a09db03aca272d40f411b26/Is-male-homosexuality-maintained-via-kin-selection.pdf</ref> This also does not really explain bisexuality and exclusive homosexuality is rare, so it is unlikely to be under strong selection and rather explained by [[mutation]]s, while bisexuality is more prevalent and more likely adaptive. | ||