Evolution and proximate expression of human paternal investment.
In more than 95% of mammalian species, males provide little direct investment in the well-being of their offspring. Humans are one notable exception to this pattern and, to date, the factors that contributed to the evolution and the proximate expression of human paternal care are unexplained (T. H. Clutton-Brock, 1989). The nature, extent, and influence of human paternal investment on the physical and social well-being of children are reviewed in light of the social and ecological factors that are associated with paternal investment in other species. On the basis of this review, discussion of the evolution and proximate expression of human paternal investment is provided.
Geary
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DC
Department of Psychology, University of Missouri, Columbia 65211-2500, USA. GearyD@Missouri.edu
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D002648:Child; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003906:Developing Countries; D005060:Europe; D005219:Father-Child Relations; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality / Q000639:trends; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States