Are Culture or Genes Driving High Family Sizes in Certain Groups?

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SUMMARY

The discussion concludes that both culture and genetics influence high family sizes in certain groups. It highlights the sustainability factor in nature, where species that do not nurture their young tend to have larger offspring numbers, contrasting with humans who invest more in nurturing. The conversation also touches on the impact of agricultural technology on family size limits, suggesting that advancements in farming have increased these limits for human populations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of evolutionary biology concepts
  • Familiarity with agricultural technology and its implications
  • Knowledge of cultural influences on family dynamics
  • Basic principles of sustainability in ecological contexts
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the role of agricultural technology in population dynamics
  • Explore the relationship between nurturing behaviors and reproductive strategies in humans
  • Investigate cultural factors influencing family size across different societies
  • Study evolutionary biology principles related to resource allocation and family structure
USEFUL FOR

Researchers in sociology, evolutionary biologists, and policymakers interested in family planning and demographic studies will benefit from this discussion.

edpell
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Is it culture or genes or both that drive some groups to have high completed family sizes?
 
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edpell said:
Is it culture or genes or both that drive some groups to have high completed family sizes?
It's both. There is a sustainability factor within nature for a large or small family. The idea is that parents that do not nurture infants, like ants will produce more than parents who spend the energy to nurture their infants, like humans. This is usually controlled through evolution depending on resource usage, space, etc. There is usually a limit for every species
However, for humans, with the rise of agri-technology (i just made that up btw, don't know the term), you can say that the limit has increased.
 
as much as I like agri-technology I think the term is farming or if you want to be fancy agriculture.
 
Well see i would have said farming, but I am referring to the technologies that have made farming efficient; hence agri-technology
 

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