Blog # 11 : Feminist anthropology

Portions of this book discuss the value of human eggs.  This is common for many placental mammals who give live birth.  Basically though, human sperm is readily available quite often, and is worth less biologically.  Female eggs are in higher demand because they are less frequently available.  This may be part of the reason a girl is more selective than a guy when it comes to choosing a mate of any kind.   I believe women look for quality over quantity.  Where as a man may look for a quality mate, but is less selective when it comes to who he will be with physically, as he would like to fertilize as many eggs as possible.  Biologically, it's what males tend to do. 


This is very important though in relation to Firefly's Shindig episode.  Mal and Atherton are fighting over Inara.  Both men are willing to die over a woman.  Basically, they are fighting for the rights to be with her because her eggs are in extremely high demand.  In addition to her being a female with eggs, she also has more attractive female features than many others, which makes her eggs even more valuable.  The men would like their offspring to posses her attractive qualities and attributes.  Of course, they're not really thinking about all this while they are "in love" or "lusting" over Inara.  Tunnel vision sets in though, and they both want the same woman. 

  

Lewis, Ellen. Feminist anthropology : a reader. Blackwell Publishing, 2006.