Tasha wrote:
> Does anyone know why girls mature about 2 years faster than boys? what
> would the purpose of this be, evolutionarily, or otherwise? thanks.
Due to the length of time required for a human child to reach a
self-sustaining level, giving birth at a young age was an evolutionary
necessity for women (short life expectancies). Therefore, optimum
survival was provided by rapid maturation of the woman.
Males, on the other hand, did not play as necessary a role in the support
of the child and, in fact, were forced to compete for women with those
best suited to their environment being naturally selected by that process
as the fathers of the children. Because such individuals were better able
to obtain/protect female partners, early sexual or emotional maturation of
the male would have served no purpose, as he would still be unable to
compete favorably with more experienced males.
Correct? Who knows--but it's as good a hypothesis as any, given the
sociobiological evidence.
Rick
--
Rick Adams
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Department of Social Sciences
Jackson Community College, Jackson, MI
"... and the only measure of your worth and your deeds
will be the love you leave behind when you're gone."
Fred Small, J.D., "Everything Possible"
