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LordODiscipline -> RE: Why I was selected as a target for a predator (11/5/2006 9:38:18 AM)
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ORIGINAL: Morrigel
This is based on the science of anthropology. Human infants, even in comparison to other primates, are physically helpless and need constant input from adults for a very long time. A human female, pregnant, isolated and without support, is extremely unlikely to survive pregnancy and childbirth in the wild. She needs community, preferably a community that includes strong males who can protect her from predators, and who will help to forage the protein sources she and her developing child will need during pregnancy and especially the first year of life.
Yes, I have vaguely heard of and understand the concept of that "anthropology thing".
And, I see what you are saying -
However, as mentioned- it appear s that the first human communities were matriacrchal and therefore they (for the most part took care of themselves - I agree that a community and assistance is required, but - and, again - I know many people raised from one parent who were no worse off and were strong and productive members of society... their single parent neither 'died in the wild' or (and, more practically) succumbed to their environment and happenings...
Is someone better off with two parents? Certainly
Is that something required? Certainly not.
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I do know that the most recent studys of ancient man (hunter gatherer phase) demonstrated a quasi-matriarchal culture with a mostly absentee father out hunting for weeks/months at a time in packs of 3-4.
Interaction between the male packs and the society was limited to the winter months and brief periods when they would return with their 'catch'.
I know of no study or research which confirms this statement. Sexual segregation lasting for months at a time of ALL males from ALL females in any society is rarely (I would say "never", but in science you never say "never") seen in hunter-gatherers in the modern age and there is little evidence for it in the prehistoric archaeology of which I am aware. Our nearest cousins in primatology do not live this way; chimpanzee troops practice a fission-fusion social order in which the group tends to break up into smaller units to forage and then re-forms into larger groups for social interaction, to deal with predators and interlopers, etc..
Look into it... It was widely reported last year. First in Nature, then in all the generic journals and tabloids (*Time, Newsweek, the local newpaper under "Almost Human Interest", etc).
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I assume you've seen what kwashiokor, ricketts and scurvy look like.
Well - I am not a doctor in real life, but I do play one on TV... so, I have seen the pictures of people having these.... mind you - not too often in modern society.... unless it was of the babys in the trash cans... I do not like to look at those. ;)
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I also think your premise is extremely unlikely simply in terms of the predators that were abounding in most of the environments in which our ancestors lived.
Well - if it were "MY" premise - I would not trust it at all - after all, I only play a doctor on TV
However - and, again... it was reported well and debated extensively over this last year (*not sure where that fact is falling through the cracks in this conversation... in fact, as a dominant male, one would assume I would shy away from such a prejudicial thing which falls into the hands and argumements of various insidly illogical feminine supremicists - Nes Pas?"
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The evidence is that most of our human forebears lived in groups of roughly 30 people; I don't see all fifteen of the men in that group taking off for months at a time and leaving a group of fifteen women, children, and elderly humans (ample evidence that humans have always cared for the infirm and kept them alive long after the time that they were unable to walk unassisted) to face predators like the dire wolf, the short-faced bear, three different kinds of hunting cat including smilodon, etc., completely undefended.
Unless we are talking about the Pygmies of Paupau New Guinea, Innuits of Alaska's Northern Climes and.or various and other indigenous peoples who place their infirmed and/or very young in a postition for their demise in the event that it becomes a burden and/or resources are not available - it was not all that uncommon... and, there have also been studies which demonstrate that mothers killing of children is more common in times when the stress of civilization rises... (another interesting study - although, that delves more into the psychological nature of civilization than the anthropological)
~J
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