Female status, food security, and stature sexual dimorphism: Testing mate choice as a mechanism in human self-domestication

American Journal of Physical Anthropology • Vol/Iss. 167 • Wiley Periodicals, Inc. • • Published In • Pages: 458-469 •
By Gleeson, Ben Thomas, Kushnick, Geoff

Abstract

The present study examines the effect of social status on stature sexual dimorphism and whether food security acts as a mediator for this relationship. In societies where females have high social status and can exercise mate choice, there is lower stature sexual dimorphism. Food security enhances these results. Conversely, there is greater stature sexual dimorphism in societies where females have low social status and cannot exercise mate choice, especially if there is food insecurity.
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: noah.rossen  milagro.escobar  anj.droe