Dear Earthlings:
Here's Alissa's take:
Response to Lynn Margulis and Dorion Sagan's Mystery Dance: On the Evolution of Human Sexuality
When first reading the book I
thought it was strange to focus on animals and the reproductive instincts and
habits of animals. As the novel continued it became clearer how close humans
and mammals like apes tend to be. I learned about natural selection in biology,
but I could never distinguish why this applied to humans. Certain things I tend
to think do not apply as much in today’s society, but I can see how it is
important in some cultures, religions or societies. The author talked about how
men sought women who were virgins because their sperm would have a better
chance of fertilizing and it eliminated the risk of his wife or partner
carrying another man’s offspring. Reading about the various signs that show
whether a woman is fertile or not to give a man an advantage or disadvantage
tied in with evolutionary aspects. When a woman is ovulating, how that is
hidden from males and specific examples such as that made me wonder who has the
advantage in natural selection. Women (humans) are more selective when mating
because they have fewer eggs and have to carry around the fetus for 9 months
before it is born. It makes logical sense that the women would be more careful
when choosing a mate because they will be doing the nurturing and the majority
of the raising the child. I understand that men can raise children too, but
they cannot breast feed and children’s first “imprint” tends to be on their
mother since that have that biological bond.
I thought that the author gave an interesting twist to
the common evolutionary standpoint of natural selection not only with animals
but with the human race. She focused on the interactions between men and women
and how in certain societies things are done differently. She successfully spotlights
women and where things may have strayed over the years. When thinking of the
act of sex men are the ones who are thought of first. Society focuses on
pleasing men and women fall to the wayside. The author finally gives women
their spotlight spending at least a chapter on the female orgasm and what it
insinuates. She goes as far to include how in some societies boys once they
reach maturity must learn how to properly satisfy a woman before themselves.
While reading that portion I thought in that culture that this “training” was
excessive, but the importance remains on the women. This section made me
realize that the female orgasm is seen as a more private and sensitive subject
in society showing the gender bias that has occurred. This also relates to the
concept how a man that sleeps with multiple women is a “stud” or a “player”,
more positive terms as opposed to a woman who sleeps with multiple people; she
is “whore” or “slut.” To me these terms should be reversed because when a man
is sleeping with multiple women it can be seen through the survival of the
fittest model. He is sleeping with an excessive amount of women to better his
chances of fertilizing an egg and having his genes live on. I know that most
men are not sleeping with multiple women in hopes that they impregnate all of
them and have children to carry their genetic traits. Viewing sex from a
biological and natural selection standpoint gives the reader and alternate
perspective to see the way society works and has evolved.
I do not understand the
imprinting process and how this leads to people liking men, women, being
homosexual or heterosexual?
Why do you think that men could
be disadvantaged more than women from the natural selection viewpoint?
Alissa Maus
Published with permission
WGSS 3998 - Ecosexuality and the Ecology of Love
Prof. Serena Anderlini-D'Onofrio
U Conn, Storrs, Spring 2013
Dear Earthlings:
Let "nature" be your teacher in the arts of love. Education is the heart of democracy, education to love. Come
back for more wonders: Students Responses to appear every Tuesday.
Book Reports to be scheduled soon, every other Thursday. Check out our summer offerings: Ecosexuality in Portland, OR, July 17-21. Info and Registration here!
Namaste,
Serena Anderlini-D'Onofrio, PhD
Gilf Gaia Extraordinaire
University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez
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