Chapter 1: Gender Ratio and Longevity

Women generally outlive men despite existing in predominantly patriarchal societies that frequently exploit them.

Photo by Mitchell Orr on Unsplash

Currently, slightly over half of the global population, approximately 50.4%, is male. This trend has persisted since at least the 1700s. Although women demonstrate greater longevity and lower mortality rates across most age groups worldwide, cultural practices like son preference in certain Asian and African nations skew the population balance toward males.

In the absence of son preference—where sex-selective abortions and lower medical care standards disadvantage females—the gender ratio would closely mirror the natural conception odds of around 50/50. A detailed examination of the adverse effects of son preference in India can be found in a Medium article from The Lily News.

Interestingly, the sex ratio fluctuates among different age groups throughout a person's life. A study indicates that during early pregnancy, more male embryos perish than female ones. This pattern of higher male mortality recurs in the third trimester. However, for the majority of the pregnancy, the mortality rate for female embryos and fetuses is slightly higher, leading to a greater number of male births, typically around 105–107 males for every 100 females.

After birth, various societal factors shift the balance toward women. The phrase "Boys will be boys" often surfaces when young boys engage in rough play, which tends to occur more frequently compared to girls. This propensity for risk-taking is significant as well.

According to research conducted in 2013, the most pronounced gender gap in mortality is observed in individuals aged 15 to 19. The leading cause of death within this age group is injuries, with boys being more than twice as likely to die from external causes.

Dr. Robert Schmerling, writing for the Harvard Health Blog, outlines several reasons for the earlier mortality of men:

1. Men typically exhibit more impulsive behavior and a lower aversion to risk, leading to higher rates of death from violence, accidents, and sports.
2. A larger proportion of men work in hazardous jobs.
3. Men face a 50% higher rate of death from heart disease compared to women, compounded by their generally larger body mass, which contributes to various health issues.
4. Men are less likely to seek medical attention than women, are less socially connected, and experience higher rates of suicide.

Dr. Schmerling notes that encouraging men to seek medical care and report symptoms can help mitigate their tendency to die younger.

Despite the rapidly changing age demographics in the United States, which is projected to exceed 410 million by 2060, the ratio of males to females is expected to remain relatively stable:

Source: Census.gov

While many factors contributing to men's shorter lifespans are linked to biological and neurological differences, shared societal issues—such as rising obesity rates, which increase the risk of diabetes and heart disease—affect both genders. Lifestyle choices can significantly reduce health issues, benefiting everyone.

Chapter 2: The Advantages of Women

Women possess various inherent advantages that contribute to their survival. They generally excel academically, outperforming men on IQ tests (as demonstrated in several studies). Women also benefit from genetic advantages and the immune-boosting effects of estrogen. Moreover, research suggests that women may handle stress more effectively than men.

Historically, women have been the backbone of societies, from small hunter-gatherer groups to larger agricultural communities that emerged approximately 10,000 years ago. While men have often taken on physically demanding roles such as hunting and warfare, the essential tasks of securing food, water, child-rearing, and maintaining shelters have predominantly fallen to women.

Many appreciate the current era, where traditional gender roles are increasingly shared. While roles may not completely "reverse," both genders can engage in each other's specialties as long as they possess the necessary skills.

Thank you for reading and sharing.

This video titled "Which is the Stronger Sex?" delves into the ongoing debate about gender strengths and roles, providing insightful perspectives on the topic.

In the video "Stronger Sex - Full Session - Daytrotter Session - 11/10/2017," various discussions unfold regarding the historical and societal implications of gender dynamics.