Kobieta, której nigdy nie było

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What does it mean to be female? Sarah Blaffer Hrdy, a sociobiologist and feminist, argues that evolutionary biology offers surprising insights. Contrary to the belief that biology works against women, and to the notion that natural selection only favors males, Hrdy introduces us to competitive, independent, and sexually assertive female primates, who have as much at stake in evolution as males. These females compete for rank and resources but also bond for mutual defense. They protect their young at great risk, yet may mate with the very males who threaten their offspring when reproduction is at stake. Their behavior varies based on environmental conditions; they tolerate other breeding females when resources are abundant but may chase them away when monogamy is advantageous. When promiscuity benefits survival, female primates, like their human counterparts, exhibit a strong sexual appetite to ensure diverse breeding partners. This challenges the myth of the passive, nurturing woman, suggesting she never evolved within the primate order. Despite this, males dominate in most primate species, including humans, indicating that women may be the most oppressed of all female primates. Hrdy emphasizes that to address sexual inequality, we must understand its evolutionary roots, studying living primates as surrogates for our ancestors. Understanding this biological legacy is crucial for women to control their own destinies.