Human Behavior & Evolution Society
@humbehevosoc.bsky.social
The Human Behavior & Evolution Society (HBES) is an international society for scientists studying the evolution of human behavior. Find us at https://www.hbes.com, or read our journal Evolution & Human Behavior. Account managed by Yunsuh "Nike" Wee
In short: The more fathers invest and the more unequal the society, the more women compete for mates—seen in cultural ornaments like cosmetics.
October 27, 2025 at 5:46 PM
In short: The more fathers invest and the more unequal the society, the more women compete for mates—seen in cultural ornaments like cosmetics.
Each extra hour of male childcare predicts a $2.17 increase in per-capita cosmetics spending.
Inequality also matters: when resources are scarce or unequally distributed, competition for high-investing men intensifies.
Inequality also matters: when resources are scarce or unequally distributed, competition for high-investing men intensifies.
October 27, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Each extra hour of male childcare predicts a $2.17 increase in per-capita cosmetics spending.
Inequality also matters: when resources are scarce or unequally distributed, competition for high-investing men intensifies.
Inequality also matters: when resources are scarce or unequally distributed, competition for high-investing men intensifies.
Countries where men do more childcare and where economic inequality is higher have larger cosmetics industries.
October 27, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Countries where men do more childcare and where economic inequality is higher have larger cosmetics industries.
Key predictors:
💡 Paternal investment = ratio of women’s to men’s unpaid childcare hours (lower ratio → more fatherly care).
💡 Economic inequality = variation in male resources (income inequality, social mobility).
💡 Paternal investment = ratio of women’s to men’s unpaid childcare hours (lower ratio → more fatherly care).
💡 Economic inequality = variation in male resources (income inequality, social mobility).
October 27, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Key predictors:
💡 Paternal investment = ratio of women’s to men’s unpaid childcare hours (lower ratio → more fatherly care).
💡 Economic inequality = variation in male resources (income inequality, social mobility).
💡 Paternal investment = ratio of women’s to men’s unpaid childcare hours (lower ratio → more fatherly care).
💡 Economic inequality = variation in male resources (income inequality, social mobility).
How to test that?
Kim used the size of the cosmetics industry in 55 countries as a cultural proxy for female ornamentation—that is, for how much women compete for men’s attention.
Kim used the size of the cosmetics industry in 55 countries as a cultural proxy for female ornamentation—that is, for how much women compete for men’s attention.
October 27, 2025 at 5:46 PM
How to test that?
Kim used the size of the cosmetics industry in 55 countries as a cultural proxy for female ornamentation—that is, for how much women compete for men’s attention.
Kim used the size of the cosmetics industry in 55 countries as a cultural proxy for female ornamentation—that is, for how much women compete for men’s attention.
Humans are unusual in this regard—men provide care, resources, and long-term partnership.
Consequently, human males are just as selective as females when choosing mates.
Consequently, human males are just as selective as females when choosing mates.
October 27, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Humans are unusual in this regard—men provide care, resources, and long-term partnership.
Consequently, human males are just as selective as females when choosing mates.
Consequently, human males are just as selective as females when choosing mates.
Darwin’s sexual selection theory proposed that females tend to be choosier because they bear higher reproductive costs, such as pregnancy and lactation.
But in species where males also invest heavily in offspring, mate choice becomes mutual rather than one-sided.
But in species where males also invest heavily in offspring, mate choice becomes mutual rather than one-sided.
October 27, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Darwin’s sexual selection theory proposed that females tend to be choosier because they bear higher reproductive costs, such as pregnancy and lactation.
But in species where males also invest heavily in offspring, mate choice becomes mutual rather than one-sided.
But in species where males also invest heavily in offspring, mate choice becomes mutual rather than one-sided.
Countries where men do more childcare and where economic inequality is higher have larger cosmetics industries.
October 27, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Countries where men do more childcare and where economic inequality is higher have larger cosmetics industries.
Key predictors:
💡 Paternal investment = ratio of women’s to men’s unpaid childcare hours (lower ratio → more fatherly care).
💡 Economic inequality = variation in male resources (income inequality, social mobility).
💡 Paternal investment = ratio of women’s to men’s unpaid childcare hours (lower ratio → more fatherly care).
💡 Economic inequality = variation in male resources (income inequality, social mobility).
October 27, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Key predictors:
💡 Paternal investment = ratio of women’s to men’s unpaid childcare hours (lower ratio → more fatherly care).
💡 Economic inequality = variation in male resources (income inequality, social mobility).
💡 Paternal investment = ratio of women’s to men’s unpaid childcare hours (lower ratio → more fatherly care).
💡 Economic inequality = variation in male resources (income inequality, social mobility).
How to test that?
Kim used the size of the cosmetics industry in 55 countries as a cultural proxy for female ornamentation—that is, for how much women compete for men’s attention.
Kim used the size of the cosmetics industry in 55 countries as a cultural proxy for female ornamentation—that is, for how much women compete for men’s attention.
October 27, 2025 at 5:43 PM
How to test that?
Kim used the size of the cosmetics industry in 55 countries as a cultural proxy for female ornamentation—that is, for how much women compete for men’s attention.
Kim used the size of the cosmetics industry in 55 countries as a cultural proxy for female ornamentation—that is, for how much women compete for men’s attention.
Humans are unusual in this regard—men provide care, resources, and long-term partnership.
Consequently, human males are just as selective as females when choosing mates.
Consequently, human males are just as selective as females when choosing mates.
October 27, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Humans are unusual in this regard—men provide care, resources, and long-term partnership.
Consequently, human males are just as selective as females when choosing mates.
Consequently, human males are just as selective as females when choosing mates.
Darwin’s sexual selection theory proposed that females tend to be choosier because they bear higher reproductive costs, such as pregnancy and lactation.
But in species where males also invest heavily in offspring, mate choice becomes mutual rather than one-sided.
But in species where males also invest heavily in offspring, mate choice becomes mutual rather than one-sided.
October 27, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Darwin’s sexual selection theory proposed that females tend to be choosier because they bear higher reproductive costs, such as pregnancy and lactation.
But in species where males also invest heavily in offspring, mate choice becomes mutual rather than one-sided.
But in species where males also invest heavily in offspring, mate choice becomes mutual rather than one-sided.
If you are in the Ann Arbor, MI, area, consider attending the lecture on October 24!
September 28, 2025 at 10:56 PM
If you are in the Ann Arbor, MI, area, consider attending the lecture on October 24!