“Gendered Species: A Natural History of Patriarchy” by Tamas David-Barrett (Review)

With great excitement I started reading “Gendered Species: A Natural History of Patriarchy”. Tamas David-Barrett (a Behavioural Scientist at the University of Oxford) claims to identify both the origins of patriarchy and the drivers of recent progress towards gender equality. Truthfully, I was very excited. Maybe he has figured it out?

David-Barrett makes 7 major claims:

1. Hunter-Gatherers were gender equal, as we know from contemporary HGs.

2. The Neolithic Revolution was caused by climate warming and stability.

3. Agriculture led to patriarchy, as food scarcity alongside higher fertility increased women’s dependence on a male provider.

4. Mate-guarding was preferred by men and women alike - men provided resources to wives who signalled sexual fidelity. Quid pro quo.

5. Menstruation stigma originated as a form of mate-guarding, to isolate women from other males when they are most fertile.

6. Mate-guarding is strongest in poor societies

7. Fertility decline has driven progress towards gender equality.