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- Sep 12, 2025
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Research into the consequences of skewed adult sex ratios (a surplus of men, as seen in parts of India due to practices like sex-selective abortion and son preference) suggests an increase in male competition for mates.
In evolutionary terms, a surplus of men leads to greater competition among males for the available females. The predicted behavioral outcomes of this situation are complex, but theoretical models and some studies suggest:
Increased Competition and Mating Effort: When men outnumber women, there's more competition for partners.
This increased competition is often associated with a heightened mating effort in males, which can manifest as increased short-term sexual interest, greater risk-taking, and in some contexts, increased violence or aggression related to mate competition.
Shifting Female Bargaining Power: Conversely, a scarcity of women is theorized to increase the bargaining power of women in the marriage and dating markets.
Societal Consequences: Skewed sex ratios have also been linked to broader societal consequences, including social instability, increased crime, and difficulty for many men, especially in lower socioeconomic strata, in finding a partner.
Context in India
India has historically had a masculine sex ratio (more males than females) in its population, driven largely by a strong son preference leading to a skewed sex ratio at birth in many regions, especially in the north and northwest.
While the overall sex ratio of the total population in India has shown some signs of improvement in recent years (according to the NFHS-5 survey), the imbalance at birth and among younger age groups remains a significant demographic issue.
The statement you provided aligns with a simplified interpretation of how a skewed sex ratio is hypothesized to affect male mating effort and competition, but the actual behavioral outcomes in humans are heavily mediated by complex factors like gender norms, societal structures, and individual choice, making direct, simple conclusions difficult.