I've given some significant thought to the aggression, irritability and depression in males. It seems to transcend age groups, race, social status, religious affiliation etc.. But the question that puzzled me is whether depression/aggression is manifested as a response to cultural stimuli or can its locus be found in the biological makeup of males. The answer, of course, is both; but since I have neither the time nor the resources to assess the former, I have some initial thoughts on the latter from what I've gathered in reading and my own anecdotal evidence.
According to the scientific definition of our biological makeup, there are two types: male and female. The former produce many small gametes and the latter produce few but much larger gametes. To put this in perspective, one female egg can house something like 1/4 million sperm cells--incredible! While the female produces only a few hundred eggs in her life, the male produces millions of sperm daily. Thus, there will always be many times more sperm than there are eggs.
As a consequence, these millions of sperm must rigorously compete for access to those rare eggs. This, in my opinion, radically effects how we act as males. As the male attempts to move his sperm to gain access to the best eggs, the female gets to make a selection from among those males who come courting. Men are then always in flux and in a restless state of pursuing the best females in efforts to fertilize their precious, limited eggs. From the greenest of algae to the most blue-blood aristocrat, we are involved in a game of cat-and-mouse where males' primal response is to pursue and females' is to escape (or accept).
What does it all mean?
So here is the deal-i-o. I would argue that there will always be more irritable and depressed men than women. Because women carry the larger, more scarce eggs, they will always be sought after by more men than the other way around. Women will always have the upper hand and will always get to choose the most attractive male from among those who present themselves to fertilize her egg. This inevitably frustrates men. Those who don't get to fertilize the best eggs turn irritable; those who don't get to fertilize any eggs turn violent or depressed or both.
Maybe this explains why young men do stupid things and take more risks than young women. Since young men are in an endless competition with one another, some must be willing to fight or take other risks in order to have the best chances of having sex with the most attractive females. In this sense, it helps explain some of male aggression.
Maybe this is one reason why older men cheat on their wives. If they stay with their 50-year old, post-menopausal wife, their chances to fertilize the best eggs are obsolete. However, if they find a beautiful, young mare, their chances at the best eggs increase. Of course, none of this occurs on a conscious level, but the biological make-up does seem to serve as a sort of impetus for one's actions.
Just a thought.
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8 comments:
I know that we've had several conversations on this topic, and I'm happy to see that you've put it into such a thoughtful and eloquent essay. I'm looking forward to your future posts
Thanks scotty J. We need to revive a bit of the blog posting on our old blog. Maybe not to the extent as before, but one here and there could certainly be manageable amidst our busy adult schedules these days.
that's why i live in texas and have 49 wives.
seriously, what you're saying is it's a supply and demand problem.
what i find interesting, however, is how you linke depression with agression. i always think of depression as moving away from agression. and also, women are depressed as often as men. what accounts for that? the poor quality of men? that can't help.
becuase basically men suck. admit it. it's true.
I think depression manifests itself in a variety of ways--irritability, aggression, gloom, despondence. But I wouldn't even qualify myself as an armchair therapist, so take that for whatever it's worth.
Men do suck. This is the reality of my generation--and well, maybe of all generations too. the fact is: men are terrible creatures. Simply watch "The Last Kiss" and you'll get a sense of our wretched existence.
i'll give the movie another shot. but it's tough to watch.
It's tough to look in a mirror sometimes. At least, it was for me.
Wow, I saw a link on facebook to your blog and thought I'd check it out. I didn't expect to find this delectable little essay. Interesting take. You really stuck to your guns all the way through. If nothing else that's to be admired. :)
Thanks Chels~ there's a hint of disapproval in your tone though. But thanks for the compliment;-)
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