Wealthier mothers tend to have more sons while hard-up women produce more daughters, a study claims.
Scientists have unearthed a fascinating link between the financial status of a woman and the proportion of boys and girls she can expect to have.
The discovery adds to the increasing evidence that the sex of a baby isn't just a matter of chance but is influenced by lifestyle and environment.
According to evolutionary theory, when conditions are good, and babies are likely to be healthy, a mother's best chance of passing on her genes to another generation is to have boys.
Fit, healthy boys will see off rivals and can potentially father hundreds of children, ensuring the survival of the family line.
But if a mother is unfit or malnourished, a baby boy is a poor investment.
A weak, sickly male is unlikely to beat off competition from other males and may not become a father or even survive.
No comments:
Post a Comment