Females vs Males: Lifespan & Why?

  • Thread starter Rob060870
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In summary, the reason females have a longer lifespan than males is because they are less likely to die from certain causes. Females are also more resistant to cancer when they are exposed to carcinogens.
  • #1
Rob060870
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dear readers,
this has puzzled me for years.

why do females tend to have a longer lifespan than males?

i would much appreciate your answers
thanks.
 
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  • #2
You are not the only puzzled by the question.

I recall reading about research done somewhere in Scandinavia. Research was based on analysis of old records, going back to 19th or even 18th century. It turned out that families where there was Grandmother present were having on average more children surviving to adulthood. Could be that's evolutionary then - longer living woman have more chances or passing their genes to next generations.

Scandinavia was a perfect place for research as many other factors were filtered out, but don't ask me about details. I believe this is a published work, should be possible to google.
 
  • #4
Females are genetically less crazy than males. They are significantly less likely to be killed in homicides, accidents and suicides. All else equal, an average male is almost 3 times more likely to die between ages of 15 and 30 than an average female. (And that's in our modern, relatively peaceful society. You can imagine what the ratio was like 100 or 200 years ago.) Males are more likely to abuse psychoactive substances, etc. Males are more likely to be exposed to continuous high levels of stress, and that is known to result in higher cardiovascular mortality later in life.
 
  • #5
So what you're saying its not a genetic difference rather than social?
 
  • #6
The reason why males and females behave differently may very well be genetic.
 
  • #7
Hamster: "Females are genetically less crazy than males" hehehe ...
Another point: Women smoke significant less than men.
Male exemplars of our species have a higher mortality than females during their whole lifespan, even when unborn.
As compensation the production of males is around 5% higher than females.
 
  • #8
Borek said:
It turned out that families where there was Grandmother present were having on average more children surviving to adulthood. Could be that's evolutionary then - longer living woman have more chances or passing their genes to next generations.
Its interesting, why human females live almost twice as long, as they are able to give birth. Obviously the grandmothers are good for something. Probably their increased knowledge and higher experience helps the grand-children to survive.
 
  • #9
Bartleby50 said:
Its interesting, why human females live almost twice as long, as they are able to give birth. Obviously the grandmothers are good for something. Probably their increased knowledge and higher experience helps the grand-children to survive.

Something like that. From what I remember presence of Grandfathers didn't guarantee higher number of children surviving, so it was not just a matter of additional workforce present.
 
  • #10
I read or heard a long time ago that females have a stronger immune system than males.i don't know how much difference this would make or even if this is true though.
 
  • #12
I'm not sure if immune system is all that relevant any more. People rarely die from causes that can be prevented by strong immune system. Top 5 causes of death in the United States, percentages of total, and male-to-female ratios:

1. Heart diseases: 26%, 1.5
2. Cancer: 23%, 1.4
3. Stroke: 6%, 1.0
4. Chronic lower respiratory diseases: 5%, 1.3
5. Accidents: 5%, 2.2

Stroke is an equal-opportunity killer. 80% to 90% of "Chronic lower respiratory diseases" are due to smoking, and 1.3 male-to-female death ratio nicely reflects historical prevalence of smoking in the country.

In cancers, the pattern is also quite clear: the one biggest killer is lung cancer, caused by smoking, and the death ratio is again 1.3. There are huge differences in death rates due to cancer of mouth (2.1), esophagus (3.6), and liver (1.9), all of which are usually caused by chronic excessive drinking. On the other hand, there are no significant differences between sexes in pancreatic and colon cancer (both often caused by excessive consumption of meat, particularly processed meat). The difference, of course, is that dangers of smoking and drinking have been known for a long time, and dangers of processed meat are still not fully part of public conscience. So, females are not significantly more resistant to cancers when exposed to carcinogens, but they are more capable of avoiding known sources of danger.

The 1.5 ratio in heart diseases is a whole separate issue.
 
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  • #13
Read Rick Lane books on evolution and life...its leaky mitochondria. That is the answer. His book is an amazing amalgamation of 5 disciplines. And all based on real science with references.
 

FAQ: Females vs Males: Lifespan & Why?

What are the main differences between the lifespan of females and males?

The main difference between the lifespan of females and males is that females tend to live longer than males. This difference is seen across many species, including humans. On average, females live 5-10% longer than males.

Why do females tend to live longer than males?

There are several factors that contribute to the longer lifespan of females. One possible explanation is that females have a stronger immune system and are less susceptible to diseases, which can lead to a longer lifespan. Additionally, females tend to engage in healthier behaviors, such as eating a more balanced diet and seeking medical care more frequently.

What role do genetics play in the lifespan difference between females and males?

Genetics play a significant role in the lifespan difference between females and males. Females have two X chromosomes, while males have one X and one Y chromosome. The X chromosome contains many genes that are linked to longevity, which may contribute to females living longer.

Do environmental factors play a role in the lifespan difference between females and males?

Yes, environmental factors can also impact the lifespan difference between females and males. For example, males are more likely to engage in risk-taking behaviors, such as smoking and excessive drinking, which can lead to a shorter lifespan. Additionally, males tend to have more physically demanding occupations, which can increase their risk of accidents and injuries.

Are there any exceptions to the general trend of females living longer than males?

While females tend to live longer than males, there are some exceptions to this trend. In some species, such as some birds and reptiles, males have a longer lifespan than females. Additionally, individual lifestyle choices and access to healthcare can also impact the lifespan of both females and males.

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