Study Explains Why Women Miscarry More Males During Tough Times

sciencehabit writes In times of trouble, multiple studies have shown, more girls are born than boys. No one knows why, but men need not worry about being overrun by women. An analysis of old church records in Finland has revealed that the boys that are born in stressful times survive better than those born during less challenging periods. The work helps explain why women may have evolved a tendency to abort certain males and could lead to a better understanding of miscarriages.

Comments

You are not in control

[NotQuiteReal]

The selfish gene wins.

Maybe it needs global climate change for the next step...

Re:You are not in control

[epyT-R]

I think he considers belief as part of the problem. It's an emotional attachment to a position that lacks evidence. People who get butthurt over being challenged are the ones with the problem. The problem is that today, the culture increasingly defends people with strong emotional positions and sensitivity at the expense of rationality and learning what is. The censorious policy that backs this is the primary threat to free speech.

The notion of end justified means is also part of the problem. Sure, showering someone with deference may get them on your side but it is for the wrong reasons. This is one of the major issues that shapes modern politics. Science is concerned with truth, regardless of politics.

Re:I am going to take this a step further

[Anonymous Coward]

Be forewarned, this message ain't gonna be Politically Correct

Or true.

You just described and gave an example of a society in which outward displays of homosexuality was negatively received by society.

Take China, for examples ... during the warring / turbulent years (since the late 1800's to the late 1960's) percentage of Chinese who identified as homosexuals were very low because of the illegality and implications of coming out

Now? With relative wealth and comfort, new generations that were born into kinder and gentler surroundings are experiencing an increase of the homosexual population who come out and openly identify and express themselves as homosexual because of the massive change in how society receives them

Re:I am going to take this a step further

[r_a_trip]

It is kinda sad to live in the time of prosperity when I know in times of adversity, we would be more resillient, more strong and determined. The comfy emptiness of prosperity just leads to boys being born and then growing without any inherent purpose other than being a part of the economical system. And the girls can afford to reap the fruits of prosperity while the boys wander confused trying to find a purpose in their lives. This is just an opinion to explain the current situation with lonely guys often working in tech or academia. Don't get me wrong, the desperate search for their purpose may lead to new great inventions and discoveries, but also the necessity has lead to great inventions and maybe faster. Living in prosperity is rather dull.

Says someone living in (relative) prosperity... So you want life to be harsh, unforgiving and generally hostile to survival, just so your purpose can become to merely exist and get your next meal before your peers eat it.

Wrap your head around the horrible fact that life has no other inherent meaning than to merely exist. You can live an empty (read: no inherent meaning other than to exist) life and have it be a struggle to survive or you can live an empty life and add all the frills to it that make it meaningful to you.

Either way, life is indifferent to what you choose.