O Que, E Que Aconteceu Con Nossa Promessa?

children with children, girls with girls

groups composed of only boys and girls are common in virtually all human cultures and this trend has been observed in many vertebrates, including ungulates, fish and great apes.

The fact that, in humans, sexual segregation is observed across cultures juveniles suggests the existence of a biological basis for this pattern. Recently, Anthony D Pellegrini University of Minnesota published a review regarding juvenile sexual segregation and the role human activity it can be physical. His review was published in the journal Behaviour .

Children of Zanzibar. Stock Fanny Schertzer taken Wikimedia Commons .

sexual segregation in humans has been observed since the second year of life, increases during the preschool and continues through preadolescence. It has been found that girls tend to form groups with other girls at a younger age than boys. Which may just be that the first mature earlier than the latter.

In adolescence this grouping pattern changes due to adolescent sexual awakening and the interest of a percentage of them to establish relationships with members of the opposite sex. To address the study of juvenile sexual segregation from a scientific perspective and make specific predictions about it is necessary to have a theoretical basis. Anthony proposes that sexual selection theory can provide such support. For example, the observed differences in size between males and females (sexual dimorphism ) and competition between males may explain observed differences in physical activity and, consequently, the sexual segregation observed. Some studies suggest that physical activity patterns correspond to differences in size observed: individuals of the same age as those with greater stature require more physical activity to skeletal and muscular development is adequate. On the other hand, has recently emphasized the role competition intrasexual females have in sexual segregation. That is, while males have a tendency to develop physical skills, and this could facilitate their aggregation into groups of increased physical activity, "the females in turn may decrease their physical activity if there is some pressure to develop other skills, as those related to the maintenance of close social relationships and communication skills. On the other hand, Anthony argues that an important aspect of sexual selection theory is the influence that the ecological niche has on the expression of any phenotype (morphological, behavioral, cognitive, etc.).. Of particular importance in the case of juvenile sexual segregation is the fact that early experiences during the development of alerting the body on the characteristics of the environment within which to develop. Therefore, the information received and treated during the early stages of development should, in theory, help individuals to maximize their adaptation to the niche in which to grow and reproduce. But it is not as simple as "children with boys and girls with girls, also would expect some dynamics between the sexes depending on individual variations in physical activity levels in both sexes. For example, girls are particularly active could more easily join a group of children. However, certain socialization pressures may contribute to the exclusion of girls from these groups of children. Active girls could then try to join a group of girls of average activity level, but given that activity levels would not allow proper integration active girls could then form a pure group of girls, isolated from other groups of children and girls. Consequently, patterns of segregation are the result of a dynamic relationship between biological (such as temperament and physical activity) with other aspects of socialization (such as the role of gender status within of a social group). According to previous physical activity, by itself, does not seem to cause segregation, but it seems only provided at certain stages of group integration. Other factors influencing segregation patterns such as nutritional status and, surprisingly, mating systems existing in a social group. nutrition seems to be a very important factor. We have seen that height is highly heritable nature but also highly dependent on the nutritional status of the mother during the gestational stage. Ie dietary stress environments mothers have smaller children, particularly when these children are boys. Consequently, in nutritionally poor environments would expect a smaller difference between the size of children and therefore their activity levels and patterns of segregation. In a study conducted several years ago, which compared a group with ecologically imposed monogamy (the Norwegian Lapps), a polygynous group (the Bedouin Arabs ) and other culturally monogamous groups (as many Westernized societies), we found that the group which was ecologically imposed monogamy was a child sexual dimorphism compared with the other groups. It was also in this group that the effort of both parents was essential to successfully raise children. Therefore, sexual dimorphism observed in human groups is a combination of the influence of ecological conditions and the predominant mating system. course in human societies and strengthening the social facilitation for the development of specific physical activities for each sex is also an important factor. And this could not only be true of physical activity imposed for both sexes. Anthony suggested in their review that in societies where there is greater equality in the roles of fathers and mothers regarding the provision of resources and care of children, then one would expect that the games of boys and girls were less divergent and, consequently, a higher incidence mixed groups and less sexual segregation. In support of this hypothesis, one study found less sexual segregation in schools that specifically worked to reduce sex-role stereotypes. However, it is interesting to note that when the rewards for achieving this preschool children were removed again to form groups made up predominantly of boys and girls.

Several factors appear to influence sexual segregation in humans young and mixed together. Although sexual selection may be an important factor in many other different factors appear to influence the nature and dynamics patterns observed. Research on this issue no doubt provide us with information that extend beyond a mere scientific curiosity, such as those related to gender equity .

Adolescents. Jurek photo taken Durczak Wikimedia Commons.

Reference article:

Pellegrini, A. (2010). The role of physical activity in the Development and function of human juveniles' sex segregation Behaviour, 147 (13), 1633-1656 DOI: 10.1163/000579510x535262