Organizational Structure Explained
Challenging Traditional Views: The Expansive Perspective on Female Roles in Nature and Society
In the realm of biology and society, a new perspective is emerging that challenges traditional understandings of female roles and sexual development. This expansive view, as articulated by anthropologist Sarah Blaffer Hrdy in her 2009 book Mothers and Others, emphasises cooperative caregiving beyond the mother-infant dyad, a concept known as allomothering.
According to Hrdy, early humans evolved to rely on allomothers within cohesive social groups to help care for and protect young, a stark contrast to the traditional view of solitary maternal care. This redefines female sexual and reproductive roles as more socially cooperative and interdependent.
Observational evidence from other female animals supports this perspective. For instance, female chimpanzees serve as "aunt-like" figures to youngsters, while female humpback whales display nurturing behaviours to their calves in protected environments. These observations broaden the understanding of female roles beyond simple biological reproduction and caregiving by a single mother.
The traditional view of female roles has historically been defined by male scientists, including Alfred Jost, who conducted experiments on rabbit fetuses in the 1940s and '50s to determine the root of sex differentiation. Jost established that high concentrations of testosterone catapulted the fetus toward male sexual development, while the lack of this hormone was assumed to push the fetus toward female sexual development. However, the development of female spotted hyenas is influenced by the timing of testosterone, not the amount, challenging Jost's hypothesis.
Furthermore, some common frogs exhibit chromosomal plasticity, with sex changes and variations occurring due to both environmental and genetic factors. This variability in nature invites us to question and reconsider our societal concepts, particularly those invented by male scientists.
Trans women, who are often accused of upholding hyperfemininity, also challenge traditional views. Contrary to accusations, trans women are not a monolith and include individuals who do not present as hyperfeminine, even if doing so increases their risk of harm. A friend of the speaker once said that welcoming trans women as women has never once taken away from their understanding of what it means to be a woman-it has only expanded it.
In the book Bitch: On the Female of the Species, zoologist Lucy Cooke challenges this framework by examining animals that challenge our notions of sex and what is female. Cooke argues that variation is the hallmark of evolution, and biology should be dynamic, diverse, and always subject to change.
In summary, this expansive view highlights:
- Female animals often engage in cooperative caregiving networks (allomothers).
- Female roles involve complex social cooperation and shared responsibilities for offspring.
- The evolution of these behaviours indicates a shift from solitary maternal care to communal upbringing, challenging prior narrower views on female sexual development and roles.
This view transforms perspectives on female reproduction from solely individual maternal investment to a broader social and evolutionary context involving multiple females in caregiving roles. By studying variations of females in the natural world, we can learn to do the same with our societal concepts and question who invented them.
- This new perspective, as delineated in the magazine article Challenging Traditional Views: The Expansive Perspective on Female Roles in Nature and Society, suggests a communal approach to women's health and wellness, particularly focusing on womens' health issues like menopause.
- In the realm of science, this expansive view emphasizes the natural world's role in shaping female roles and sexual development, placing emphasis on the participation of the community in health-and-wellness matters.
- Artistic representation can offer a platform to explore and challenge traditional views on female roles, showcasing the contributions of allomothering and the intricate dance of cooperation and shared responsibilities within the community.
- As we delve deeper into understanding the workings of the natural world, we may find that the art world plays a crucial role in reflecting and upholding a more expansive and holistic perspective on traditional female roles, driving society to be more inclusive and forward-thinking.
