ISBN:
9781003463320
,
1003463320
,
9781040005927
,
1040005926
,
9781040005941
,
1040005942
Language:
English
Pages:
1 online resource (xiv, 116 pages).
Edition:
First edition.
Series Statement:
Evolutionary analysis in the social sciences
Parallel Title:
Print version:
DDC:
304.6/32
Keywords:
Fertility, Human Social aspects.
;
Fécondité humaine Aspect social.
;
SOCIAL SCIENCE / Demography
;
SOCIAL SCIENCE / Gender Studies
;
SOCIAL SCIENCE / Anthropology / Physical
Abstract:
This is the first book to fully examine, from an evolutionary point of view, the association of social status and fertility in human societies before, during, and after the demographic transition. In most nonhuman social species, social status or relative rank in a social group is positively associated with the number of offspring, with high-status individuals typically having more offspring than low-status individuals. However, humans appear to be different. As societies have gotten richer, fertility has dipped to unprecedented lows, with some developed societies now at or below replacement fertility. Within rich societies, women in higher-income families often have fewer children than women in lower-income families. Evolutionary theory suggests that the relationship between social status and fertility is likely to be somewhat different for men and women, so it is important to examine this relationship for men and women separately. When this is done, the positive association between individual social status and fertility is often clear in less-developed, pre-transitional societies, particularly for men. Once the demographic transition begins, it is elite families, particularly the women of elite families, who lead the way in fertility decline. Post-transition, the evidence from a variety of developed societies in Europe, North America and East Asia is that high-status men (particularly men with high personal income) do have more children on average than lower-status men. The reverse is often true of women, although there is evidence that this is changing in Nordic countries. The implications of these observations for evolutionary theory are also discussed. This book will be of interest to students and researchers in the social sciences with an interest in evolutionary sociology, evolutionary anthropology, evolutionary psychology, demography, and fertility.
Description / Table of Contents:
Cover -- Half Title -- Series Information -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Dedication -- Table of Contents -- List of Figures -- List of Tables -- Preface -- 1 The Changing Relationship Between Status and Fertility -- References -- 2 Evolutionary Theory and the Fertility Behavior of Humans -- Evolution By Natural Selection -- Sexual Selection -- Sex Differences in Parental Investment in Humans -- Sex Differences in Mate Preferences -- References -- 3 Sources of Social Status Across Human Societies -- Age -- Height and Size for Men -- Intelligence and Costly Signaling
Description / Table of Contents:
Beauty (Especially for Women) -- Social Status in Agricultural Societies -- The House of Habsburg -- an Example of Status Preservation -- Social Status in Industrial Societies -- References -- 4 Social Status and Fertility in Preindustrial Societies -- Hunting and Gathering Societies -- Horticultural and Tribal Societies -- Female Fertility -- Agrarian and Despotic Societies -- Status and Fertility Among Women in Agrarian Societies -- References -- 5 Status and Fertility in Europe and America During the Demographic Transition -- The Demographic Transition
Description / Table of Contents:
Status and Fertility During the Demographic Transition -- References -- 6 Status and Fertility in East Asia During the Demographic Transition -- Japan -- Taiwan -- Korea -- China -- References -- 7 Status and Fertility in Contemporary Transitioning Societies -- Status and Fertility in Contemporary Developing Countries -- Education and Fertility -- Income, Wealth, and Fertility -- References -- 8 The Relationship Between Status and Fertility in Post-Transition Europe and America -- Education and Fertility -- Personal Income, Wealth, and Fertility -- Income and Fertility Within Couples
Description / Table of Contents:
Evolutionary Theory and Low Fertility in Developed Societies -- Possible Genetic Selection -- References -- 9 Additional Factors Influencing Status and Fertility -- Religion -- Endogamy and Homogamy -- References -- 10 Not So Weird After All -- Reference -- Index
DOI:
10.4324/9781003463320
URL:
https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781003463320
URL:
https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781003463320
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