Death by Sex

Men evolved willing to risk death for sex, partly explaining why men die faster than women in virtually every country worldwide, a new study by the University of Michigan suggests.

Men evolved willing to risk death for sex, partly explaining why men die faster than women in virtually every country worldwide, a new study by the University of Michigan suggests. Men know, at least subconsciously, that women are most receptive to men who seem like good providers. Throughout evolution, men have used violence, shows of physical prowess and other forms of risk-taking to not only acquire status, but to advertise it. Comparing 70 countries, the study found that economic inequality disproportionately affected the lifespans of men. In countries like Norway, that are relatively egalitarian, male mortality rates are more equal to those of women, with a difference of 4.5 years on average. But in countries like Colombia, where there are more significant differences between the rich and the poor, men out-die women faster, in part because they are competing—either violently or stressfully—for status, stuff and, ultimately, sex. The lives of men in Colombia are on average shorter than their female counterparts by 7.8 years. In all, the research suggests that monogamous, egalitarian societies would do a lot for a man’s lifespan.