Nathalie Dagmang 2010-24702 BFA Sculpture

October 7, 2011 Anthro 10 WF 1-2:30 Prof Tatel

Reaction Paper: Why Sex? As seen in the documentary, Why Sex, there are facts in the theory of evolution that can be somewhat refuted when it comes to the topic of sex. The very idea of sex as a fundamental part of our lives questions the theory that organisms would most likely engage into a kind of reproduction that is easier and would produce more surviving offsprings. If you follow this logic, the mode of reproduction that is more feasible for organisms would be asexual reproduction. Hence, it was explained in the documentary the importance of genetic variability which can only be brought about by sexual reproduction. Before, I would also question the necessity of sex, as I can only associate it with lust and love in the present times. The first time I heard of asexual reproduction, I thought that the sexual mode was purely made for pleasure, only with the benefit of reproduction. The genetic variability that is produced in sexual reproduction is very important for organisms since it gives each offspring the traits that it needs for survival. In the context of the peacock community, one may doubt the importance of the peacocks extravagant tail. For one, it slows down the peacocks, making it easier for its predator to catch. However, one can observe that peahens choose peacocks who have larger tails who are most likely to produce more surviving offsprings. Female organisms usually are the ones who choose their partners since they only produce a few eggs which gives them less chances to reproduce. However, in some cases, they tend to become the one who competes for their partners, like in the case of some birds in Panama who only minds the quantity of its offsprings because the crocodiles in its habitat eats of its population. This role shifting is another myth-buster for me since I always thought that female animals are the ones being courted by the males. For the human species, however, this role shifting is more likely to happen. We know our ancestors to be very competitive, always driven by their urge to survive. This was caused by the limited amount of food in their environment. But at present, where technology now makes our supplies less limited, we tend to go after partners that we want, rather than those that we need. Marriage is now based onlove or emotional attachments rather than on fertility or strength. Now, homosexual relationships, although these do not produce offsprings, is still being considered by humans. However, the thought of survival in the concept of marriage can still be seen today, mostly in poor communities where they usually choose partners that belong to the higher class or those who are hardworking enough to provide for a family. Generally, the documentary talked about the importance of sex in the context of the Evolution theory/ survival instincts and the present notions on it. The idea of sex and the way people view it, also undergoes some kind of evolution.