Shaping Identities: How Standards Define Men And Women (Part Two)

 At a biological level, the reproductive systems for males and females differ, contributing to what arguably is the possible cause of promiscuity level between the sexes. All right, let’s get down to the basics. 


To make a baby, you need male and female gametes, also known as the sperm and egg. Females have the egg and males have the sperm. Now, the average male will produce 525 billion (with a B) sperm in his lifetime, while the female is born with about 1 to 2 million eggs. By the time she hits puberty, that number will go down to around 300,000. Many speculate this biological difference to be the motivation behind the differences in promiscuity between the sexes. Because males typically produce so much more of their gametes, biologically, promiscuity levels could be attributed to the amount of gametes. Males must adopt a different mating strategy if they want to ensure the survival of their genes. 


The way in which males increase their chances of survival is by increasing the number of partners. Not only do the number of partners increase a male organism's chances of passing down genetics, but the health of his partner does as well. 


Attractiveness is one way to gauge this. Studies have shown more symmetrical faces to be attractive, as well as faces with average traits. Faces with major asymmetry have been linked to serious genetic disorders or trauma. Although the ideal body weight for women has changed over time, males have been consistent in preferring females with a waist-to-hip ratio of around 0.7, also known as that hourglass look. Waist-to-hip ratio is an index of age, health, and fecundity. 


By pursuing these physical health indicators, males can increase their chances of their genes being passed down in future generations. Theoretically, a male's best strategy to pass down his genetics is to play the numbers game and choose healthy mates using attractiveness as an indicator.


Now understanding how all of this ties down to the functions of the female mating strategy is a whole other realm. Do females value physical attractiveness, or are there other objectives in play?

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