ANT211H5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Bride Price, Anovulation, Clitoridectomy
Document Summary
Cross cultural universals of human society: monogamous relationships through repeated reproductive episodes, biparental care, marriage, stable mateships within a social network of other relationships, kinship, food sharing & economic networks. Is kinship a nepotistic strategy to maximize inclusive fitness: mitigates conflict inclusive fitness, from sociobiological viewpoint, way for individuals to communicate with genetic relatives. Problems: rarely correlates directly with genetic relatedness, may be a cultural (not a biological) relationship. Economic networks & food sharing: postreproductive people contribute through childcare, adoption of nonbiological children, hunter & gatherer roots. !kung san, sw kalahari (richard lee & nancy howell) Increased with agriculture: accumulate material wealth then can start sanctioning it out through subsequent wives, social stratification, disenfranchised celibate men. Found in 2 main parts of the world: nigeria. Does polyandry go against fitness interests: female limited in reproduction by physiology, can"t be pregnant by all brothers, only occurs when resources are scare.
