Posted on 05/17/2005 8:12:54 AM PDT by JAWs
Evolutionary scientists have never had difficulty explaining the male orgasm, closely tied as it is to reproduction.
But the Darwinian logic behind the female orgasm has remained elusive. Women can have sexual intercourse and even become pregnant - doing their part for the perpetuation of the species - without experiencing orgasm. So what is its evolutionary purpose?
Over the last four decades, scientists have come up with a variety of theories, arguing, for example, that orgasm encourages women to have sex and, therefore, reproduce or that it leads women to favor stronger and healthier men, maximizing their offspring's chances of survival.
But in a new book, Dr. Elisabeth A. Lloyd, a philosopher of science and professor of biology at Indiana University, takes on 20 leading theories and finds them wanting. The female orgasm, she argues in the book, "The Case of the Female Orgasm: Bias in the Science of Evolution," has no evolutionary function at all.
Rather, Dr. Lloyd says the most convincing theory is one put forward in 1979 by Dr. Donald Symons, an anthropologist.
That theory holds that female orgasms are simply artifacts - a byproduct of the parallel development of male and female embryos in the first eight or nine weeks of life.
In that early period, the nerve and tissue pathways are laid down for various reflexes, including the orgasm, Dr. Lloyd said. As development progresses, male hormones saturate the embryo, and sexuality is defined.
In boys, the penis develops, along with the potential to have orgasms and ejaculate, while "females get the nerve pathways for orgasm by initially having the same body plan."
Nipples in men are similarly vestigial, Dr. Lloyd pointed out.
While nipples in woman serve a purpose, male nipples appear to be simply left over from the initial stage of embryonic development.
The female orgasm, she said, "is for fun."
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
I never knew that. I'm glad someone got a grant to figure this out.
The female orgasm's only purpose is to allow men to sleep in peace after sex. :>)
Wimmen have orgasms?
Well.
Well DUH! Every time I have sex, I look at the woman and can tell she's having way more fun than I am...
Uh.... Anybody who has to ask cannot give a worthy opinion.
SIGH...
Over here.
Dasher, you'd better get your list ready.
The female orgasm, she said, "is for fun."
Going by this "logic", men's nipples should be every bit as sensitive as a woman's.....which we know isn't the case.
This woman's a loon.
I'm just surprised that pissant didn't post this.
As for the other,
um,
ah,
I can think of whole threads on women's chat forums devoted to the advantages of electronics and batteries over dating/marriage. ;)
Gee, I wonder if the author ever considered that maybe the Creator wanted BOTH male and female to enjoy their "becoming one"?!?
I don't think anything will come from this.
It was a trade off.
Women have multiple orgasms, men get to pee standing up.
The female orgasm, she said, "is for fun."
whoa....I'm showing my wife this article right now.
Actually, I have seen television progams which actually show a physical function of the female orgasm. One which I wont describe here.. Lets just say, it can help them little critters do their job..
Gee ya mean Evolution can't explain everything? (/sacarsm)
Dude, I think you may be doing something wrong.
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