Feeling good mother/father and other regimes.LGBT people’s emotions and parenthoods / Sentirse buena madre/buen padre y otros regímenes. Emociones y parentalidades de personas LGBT

En el presente artículo analizamos y discutimos la dimension emocional que las personas LGBT asocian al ejercicio de la maternidad/paternidad. Basadas en las teorías feministas y las contribuciones de la subalternidad y la interseccionalidad, aplicamos el método biográfico, en un proceso de investigación dialógico-recursivo. Las personas participantes fueron 21 personas LGBT e informantes clave, pertenecientes a la academia, la psicoterapia, la política, y el activismo de la diversidad, de Chile (16), Mexico (4), y Colombia (1); entre 21 y 57 años, con una media de edad de 37.19 y una desviación estándar de 10.03. Encontramos emociones relacionadas al mandato social de “ser una buena madre/un buen padre”; emociones resultantes de la situación de desprotección social y legal; y emociones devenidas de la experiencia de parentalidad. Concluimos que las dinámicas de represión/resistencia atraviesan los cuerpos y las emociones son un aspecto fundamental de esta encarnación; dado ello, el desarrollo de investigaciones enfocadas en emociones puede abrir caminos para alcanzar sociedades más justas a través del cultivo de la sentimentalidad como elemento base de las relaciones que nos mantienen como miembros dignos de la sociedad y considerando el efecto performativo de las demandas emocionales.(AU)

In this article, we analyze and discuss the emotional dimension that LGBT people associate with the exercise of motherhood/fatherhood. Based on feminist theory and subalternity and intersectionality theory con-tributions, we applied the biographical method to a dialogical-recursive in-vestigative process. Participants were 21 LGBT people and key informants, belonging to academia, psychotherapy, politics, and diversity activism, over 18 years old, from Chile (16), Mexico (4), and Colombia (1); the partici-pantswere people between 21 and 57 years of age, with a mean age of 37.19 and a standard deviation of 10.03. We found emotions related to the social mandate to "be a good mother/father"; emotions resulting from so-cial situations such as discrimination and legal lack of protection, and emo-tions derived from the parenting experience. We conclude that repres-sion/resistance dynamics go through the bodies, and emotions are funda-mental to this incarnation. Given this, the development of research fo-cused on emotion can open ways to achieve more just societies through cultivated sentimentality, societies aware of the type of bonds that keep us as worthy members of a society and the performative effect of our emo-tional demands.(AU)

Female Mate Choice in Wild Kenyan Blue Monkeys (Cercopithecus mitis).

Female mate choice may drive sexual selection, but discerning whether female behaviors reflect free expression of choice or responses to constraints can be difficult. We investigated the efficacy of female choice in wild blue monkeys using 10 years of behavior and paternity data (N = 178 male-female dyads). Although blue monkeys live modally in one-male polygynous groups, where male-biased intersexual power is expected, females can access multiple potential mates during seasonal male influxes and occasional intergroup encounters. Additionally, extra-group males sire offspring. We examined female resistance rates to male-initiated sexual interactions, and unsolicited proceptive behavior that females directed to males (corrected for male availability). Females seldom resisted male solicitation, but initiated sexual interactions more than males. Females generally preferred residents. Those who preferred non-residents tended to have residents with longer tenures, but neither female parity nor rank influenced the tendency to prefer non-residents vs. residents. The male most solicited by a particular female fathered that female's infant 82% of the time; odds of siring were 26 times higher for most vs. nonpreferred males. Female preference predicted paternity even more strongly among non-resident males, with odds of siring 33 times higher for most vs. nonpreferred non-residents. Neither female rank nor parity influenced her likelihood of having her preferred partner as sire. Paternity by preferred males did not affect infant survival. While we cannot fully discount the effect of male-male competition on paternity, these results suggest that blue monkey females can exercise choice successfully, even in a polygynous mating system.

Assessing DNA Degradation through Differential Amplification Efficiency of Total Human and Human Male DNA in a Forensic qPCR Assay.

The assessment of degradation is crucial for the analysis of human DNA samples isolated from forensic specimens. Forensic quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays can include multiple targets of varying amplicon size that display differential amplification efficiency, and thus different concentrations, in the presence of degradation. The possibility of deriving information on DNA degradation was evaluated in a forensic qPCR assay not specifically designed to detect DNA fragmentation, the Plexor HY (Promega), by calculating the ratio between the estimated concentrations of autosomal (99 bp) and Y-chromosomal (133 bp) targets ("[Auto]/[Y]"). The [Auto]/[Y] ratio measured in 57 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples was compared to a quality score (QS) calculated for corresponding STR profiles using quantitative data (allele peak height). A statistically significant inverse correlation was observed between [Auto]/[Y] and QS (R = -0.65, p < 0.001). The [Auto]/[Y] values were highly correlated (R = 0.75, p < 0.001) with the "[Auto]/[D]" values obtained using the PowerQuant (Promega) assay, expressly designed to detect DNA degradation through simultaneous quantification of a short (Auto) and a long (D) autosomal target. These results indicate that it is possible to estimate DNA degradation in male samples through Plexor HY data and suggest an alternative strategy for laboratories lacking the equipment required for the assessment of DNA integrity through dedicated qPCR assays.

Polyandry and sperm competition in two traumatically inseminating species of Strepsiptera (Insecta).

Polyandry, the practice of females mating with multiple males, is a strategy found in many insect groups. Whether it increases the likelihood of receiving beneficial genes from male partners and other potential benefits for females is controversial. Strepsiptera are generally considered monandrous, but in a few species females have been observed copulating serially with multiple males. Here we show that the offspring of a single female can have multiple fathers in two Strepsiptera species: Stylops ovinae (Stylopidae) and Xenos vesparum (Xenidae). We studied female polyandry in natural populations of these two species by analysis of polymorphic microsatellite loci. Our results showed that several fathers can be involved in both species, in some cases up to four. Mating experiments with S. ovinae have shown that the first male to mates with a given female contributes to a higher percentage of the offspring than subsequent males. In X. vesparum, however, we found no significant correlation between mating duration and offspring contribution. The prolonged copulation observed in S. ovinae may have the advantage of reducing competition with sperm from other males. Our results show that monandry may not be the general pattern of reproduction in the insect order Strepsiptera.

Anthropogenic land-use change decreases pollination and male and female fitness in terrestrial flowering plants.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The majority of the earth's land area is currently occupied by humans. Measuring how terrestrial plants reproduce in these pervasive environments is essential for understanding their long-term viability and their ability to adapt to changing environments. METHODS: We conducted hierarchical and phylogenetically-independent meta-analyses to assess the overall effects of anthropogenic land-use changes on pollination, and male and female fitness in terrestrial plants. KEY RESULTS: We found negative global effects of land use change (i.e., mainly habitat loss and fragmentation) on pollination and on female and male fitness of terrestrial flowering plants. Negative effects were stronger in plants with self-incompatibility (SI) systems and pollinated by invertebrates, regardless of life form and sexual expression. Pollination and female fitness of pollination generalist and specialist plants were similarly negatively affected by land-use change, whereas male fitness of specialist plants showed no effects. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that angiosperm populations remaining in fragmented habitats negatively affect pollination, and female and male fitness, which will likely decrease the recruitment, survival, and long-term viability of plant populations remaining in fragmented landscapes. We underline the main current gaps of knowledge for future research agendas and call out not only for a decrease in the current rates of land-use changes across the world but also to embark on active restoration efforts to increase the area and connectivity of remaining natural habitats.

Case reports on uniparental disomy of chromosomes 6 and 3 in paternity testing.

In paternity testing, when there are Mendelian errors in the alleles between the child and the parents, a slippage mutation, or silent allele may not fully explain the phenomenon. Sometimes, it is attributed to chromosomal abnormalities, such as uniparental disomy (UPD). Here, we present the investigation of two cases of suspected UPD in paternity testing based on short tandem repeat (STR) detection (capillary electrophoresis platform). Case 1 involves a trio, where all genotypes detected on chromosome 6 in the child are homozygous and found in the father. Case 2 is a duo (mother and child), where all genotypes on chromosome 3 in the child are homozygous and not always found in the mother. At the same time, Mendelian error alleles were also observed at specific loci in these two chromosomes. Furthermore, we used the MGIEasy Signature Identification Library Prep Kit for sequencing on the massively parallel sequencing platform, which included common autosomal, X and Y chromosomes, and mitochondrial genetic markers used in forensic practice. The results showed that the genotypes of shared STRs on the two platforms were consistent, and STRs and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on these two chromosomes were homozygous. All other genetic markers followed the laws of inheritance. A comprehensive analysis supported the parent-child relationship between the child and the alleged parent, and the observed genetic anomalies can be attributed to UPD. UPD occurrences are rare, and ignoring its presence can lead to erroneous exclusions in paternity testing, particularly when multiple loci on a chromosome exhibit homozygosity.

Transforming Perceptions: The Impact of a Formal Parental Leave Policy on Surgical Trainees.

OBJECTIVE: Surgical trainees who welcome a new child during residency often face challenges related to appropriate parental leave. To address this, we instituted a comprehensive family medical leave policy within our training program and assessed resident perceptions before and after the policy's introduction. We hypothesized that this new formal policy would enhance feelings of support amongst all (not just childbearing) trainees. DESIGN: A web-based survey to gauge resident perceptions on parental leave was distributed to all residents at a single academic general surgery residency at 2 intervals: prior to policy implementation and 1 year after policy implementation. SETTING: The study was conducted at a single institution, academic general surgery residency program. PARTICIPANTS: All general surgery residents at the institution were included (n = 95). RESULTS: About 40 out of 95 (42%) residents participated in the initial survey and 25 of 95 (26%) completed the subsequent survey. There was a significant improvement in resident reported satisfaction with the policy from pre to post: 15% pre to 68% post, p < 0.001, report the policy frequently supported trainees' needs, 20% pre to 88% post, p < 0.001, perceived the policy as fair. Most residents (90.0% pre and 80.0% post) perceived pregnancy as a risk during surgical training. There were no differences in perception of the new policy between residents who were parents and residents who were not parents. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of a comprehensive family medical leave policy improved all surgical trainees' (including nonparents) perception of policy effectiveness and policy fairness. This is counter to the published perception that parental leave creates a burden on fellow trainees. However, pregnancy remains a stressor for the individual new parent. Surgical programs can develop supportive formal family medical leave policies; it is important to address the inherent systemic and cultural barriers surrounding childrearing during surgical training.

Development and validation of a novel 30-plex STR assay for canine individual identification and parentage testing.

Domestic dogs are helpers in outdoor human work and companions for families; thus, individual canine identification and parentage testing are crucial in certain fields, including forensics and breeding programs. In this study, a six-dye fluorescent labeling multiplex amplification system containing 29 canine short tandem repeats (STRs) and the sex-determining marker DAmel was developed. The system was called the Tronfo Canine 30-plex STR Kit and was further validated according to the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods and the Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Wildlife Forensics guidelines, including tests for PCR conditions, precision, species specificity, sensitivity, stability, repeatability and reproducibility, a population study, and a study of 16 paternity test cases. The results indicated that the novel canine STR assay was accurate, specific, reproducible, stable, and robust. Complete profiles were obtained with 31.25 pg of canine DNA. Additionally, 500 unrelated canine individuals were investigated using this novel system, and the combined power of discrimination and exclusion values were 0.999999999999999999 and 0.999996451039850, respectively. These results suggest that the Tronfo Canine 30-plex STR Kit is highly polymorphic, informative, and suitable for individual canine identification and parentage testing.

Paternity bias and cryptic female choice in chickens.

Sperm competition and cryptic female choice (CFC) are 2 significant mechanisms of postcopulatory sexual selection that greatly impact fertilization success in various species. Despite extensive research has conducted on sperm competition and the evolution of sperm traits in internal fertilization, our understanding of the female preferences in selecting sperm is still limited. Here, we aimed to investigate the characteristics of CFC in chickens by utilizing artificial insemination with mixed semen to control for variations in male fertilization success caused by female perception of male quality and mating order. Our results revealed that the offspring from multiple-mated females exhibited mixed paternity. Although the males had an equal number of viable sperm, 1 male consistently exhibited a 15% higher success rate on average, regardless of whether the insemination was performed with fresh or diluted semen. This result suggested that this male demonstrates superior performance in sperm competition, and exhibited a potential advantage in fertilization success. While the dominant male generally made a greater genetic contribution to most offspring, the degree of this advantage varied greatly, ranging from 11.11 to 75%. Furthermore, our study provided evidence of female preferences influenced the precedence of sperm from certain males over others. Interestingly, this bias is not consistently observed among all individuals, as offspring derived from some females were predominantly sired by an overall disadvantaged male while others were predominantly by a different disadvantaged male. Overall, these results underscored the complex processes involved in sperm selection and emphasized the importance of females in sexual selection theory.

Mutational analysis of 23 autosomal short tandem repeats based on trio paternity testing in the Korean population.

This study aimed to estimate A-STR mutation rates in 2,317 Korean parent-child trios by examining 20 Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) core loci (D3S1358, D5S818, D7S820, D8S1179, D13S317, D16S539, D18S51, D21S11, CSF1PO, FGA, TH01, TPOX, vWA, D1S1656, D2S441, D2S1338, D10S1248, D12S391, D19S433, and D22S1045) and three non-CODIS loci (Penta E, Penta D, and SE33). Locus-specific mutation rate estimates varied from 0.00 to 8.63 × 10-3 per generation, with an average mutation rate of 1.62 × 10-3 (95 % CI, 1.39-1.88 × 10-3). We also combined data from previous studies to obtain comprehensive genetic values for the Korean population, and the average mutation rate was 1.59 × 10-3 (95 % CI, 1.38-1.82 × 10-3). Single-step mutations (95.69 %) and double-step mutations (3.35 %) were observed in the mutation pattern analysis, and cases expected to have multi-step mutations (0.96 %) were also observed. Large-sized alleles exhibited more loss mutations than gain mutations, and paternal mutations (62.68 %) were more frequently observed than maternal mutations (19.62 %). The calculated values and features of the 23 A-STRs explored in this study are expected to play a crucial role in establishing criteria for forensic genetic interpretation.

Determining the effects of genetic linkage when using a combination of STR and SNP loci for kinship testing.

The pedigree likelihood ratio (LR) can be used for determining kinship in the forensic kinship testing. LR can be obtained by analyzing the DNA data of Short tandem repeat (STR) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci. With the advancement of biotechnology, increasing number of genetic markers have been identified, thereby expanding the pedigree range of kinship testing. Moreover, some of the loci are physically closer to each other and genetic linkage between loci is inevitable. LRs can be calculated by accounting for linkage or ignoring linkage (LRlinkage and LRignore, respectively). GeneVisa is a software for kinship testing (www.genevisa.net) and adopts the Lander-Green algorithm to deal with genetic linkage. Herein, we used the simulation program of the software GeneVisa to investigate the effects of genetic linkage on 1st-degree, 2nd-degree, and 3rd-degree kinship testing. We used this software to simulate LRlinkage and LRignore values based on 43 STRs and 134 SNPs in commercial kits by using the allele frequency rate and genetic distance data of the European population. The effects of linkage on LR distribution and LRs of routine cases were investigated by comparing the LRlinkage values with the LRignore values. Our results revealed that the linkage effect on LR distributions is small, but the effect on LRs of routine cases may be large. Moreover, the results indicated that the discriminatory power of genetic markers for kinship testing can be improved by accounting for linkage.

Measurement uncertainty of ethyl alcohol concentration in the exhaled breath of drivers and determination of sobriety at the time of incident. / Niepewnosc pomiaru stezenia alkoholu etylowego w powietrzu wydychanym kierowców oraz ustalenia stanu trzezwosci w chwili zdarzenia.

The aim of the study was to determine the components of measurement uncertainty in the concentration of alcohol in exhaled breath and to determine the state of sobriety at the time of incident. Based on the literature review and the authors' experience in providing opinions for law enforcement and the judiciary, the influence of various factors on the final interpretation of sobriety state is described on the basis of measurement uncertainty of breath analyzers, uncertainty of retrospective and prospective calculations, and uncertainty related to the conversion of alcohol concentrations detected during breath and blood tests. The paper pays particular attention to interpreting the concentrations of ethanol in exhaled breath close to the legal limits of the state of sobriety and the state after alcohol use, or the state after alcohol use and the state of insobriety. Analyzing the results of an exhaled breath test concerning concentrations close to the values of 0.1 mg/dm3 and 0.25 mg/dm3, it is necessary to take into account the factors affecting the measurements obtained, including the measurement uncertainty of the determination of alcohol in exhaled breath, the processes of absorption, distribution and metabolism of ethyl alcohol, and the possibility of the presence of alcohol lingering in the oral cavity. The incorrect execution of measurements of the tested person's alcohol concentration is also a problematic issue. When determining sobriety state by means of retrospective and prospective calculations, it is important to remember that the uncertainty of the result is affected by a number of factors and depends, among other things, on the information provided by the suspect. Hence, the expert should draw conclusions particularly cautiously and any overestimation or underestimation of the components of uncertainty can lead to erroneous conclusions. Awareness of the uncertainties inherent in the results of a sobriety test or alcohol calculation allows for meaningful interpretation of test results and determination of the sobriety state of the person tested.

A call to uncover the availability, structure, and effects of parental leave policies at academic pharmacy institutions.

Parental leave is often an initial barrier to achieving family-career integration, and thus discussing this issue within the broader academic pharmacy community may have important implications for policy development and change. This commentary aims to reveal the implications of inadequate parental leave policies on faculty while highlighting the benefits well-developed policies can have for both parents and their children. Additionally, we put forth a call to action for additional research into the availability and structure of parental leave policies at pharmacy institutions and the effects such policies have on faculty wellbeing, retention, and job satisfaction.

Lived experiences of mental health nurses who care for clients who are parents: An approximation of Tronto's definition of care.

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT: Adult psychiatric services typically focus on the mental health needs of the client but they do not support his or her parenting role. Many authors highlight the importance of a non-judgmental approach when providing support and care to clients with mental illness who are parents. Assessments frequently focus on the negative aspects while the strengths of these families were often overlooked. There is a lack of scientific literature exploring nurses' experiences when caring for parents with mental illness and their families. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE: Trust is the basis that helps clients to be open to receiving care and answering parenting-related questions. Therefore, without adequate professional-client trust, some care and interventions addressed to parents with mental illness could be poorly received by the client. Tronto's phases of care facilitated the collection of data and exploration of mental health nurses' experiences of care. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Mental health nurses should be aware of the potential needs of these families, as described in the scientific literature, so they can include them in their assessments. They also should consider the need to individualize each care since each situation of a family with parental mental illness is unique. Mental health nurses must take the person's environment into account (family, social and political aspects and different forms of stigma) since all these factors may influence how parents with mental illness receive and provide care. ABSTRACT: Introduction Many authors highlight the importance of a non-judgmental approach when providing care to parents with mental illness. However, assessments frequently focus on the negative aspects while the strengths of such families were often overlooked. Aim To explore the lived experiences of mental health nurses who care for clients who are parents. Method We conducted a qualitative phenomenological study. The main data collection technique was in-depth interviews. Data were analysed according to Colaizzi model, subsequently, the main categories that arised were compared and related to the five phases of Tronto's care. Results The main categories identified from the analysis of the interviews were: (1) individualized care, (2) continuity of care, (3) psychoeducation and counselling, (4) trust and (5) context of the client. Discussion Trust is the basis that helps parents with mental illness to be open to receiving care and answering parenting-related questions. Without trust, some interventions could be poorly received by the client. Implications for Practice Mental health nurses should be aware of the potential needs of these families, so they can include them in their assessments. They also should consider the need to individualize each care since each situation of a family with parental mental illness is unique.

ABM Position Statement: Paid Maternity Leave-Importance to Society, Breastfeeding, and Sustainable Development.

Background: Paid maternity leave benefits all of society, reducing infant mortality and providing economic gains. It is endorsed by international treaties. Paid maternity leave is important for breastfeeding, bonding, and recovery from childbirth. Not all mothers have access to adequate paid maternity leave. Key Information: Paid leave helps meet several of the 17 United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (2, 3, 4, 5, 8, and 10), including fostering economic growth. A family's expenses will rise with the arrival of an infant. Paid leave is often granted with partial pay. Many low-wage workers earn barely enough to meet their needs and are unable to take advantage of paid leave. Undocumented immigrants and self-employed persons, including those engaging in informal work, are often omitted from maternity leave programs. Recommendations: Six months of paid leave at 100% pay, or cash equivalent, should be available to mothers regardless of income, employment, or immigration status. At the very minimum, 18 weeks of fully paid leave should be granted. Partial pay for low-wage workers is insufficient. Leave and work arrangements should be flexible whenever possible. Longer flexible leave for parents of sick and preterm infants is essential. Providing adequate paid leave for partners has multiple benefits. Increasing minimum wages can help more families utilize paid leave. Cash benefits per birth can help informal workers and undocumented mothers afford to take leave. Equitable paid maternity leave must be primarily provided by governments and cannot be accomplished by employers alone.

The Latest Research Progress on Cell-Free DNA and Prospects of Its Forensic Application.

In recent years, with the continuous progress of DNA extraction and detection technology, cell-free DNA(cfDNA)has been widely used in the life science field, and its potential application value in forensic identification is becoming more and more obvious. This paper reviews the concept, formation mechanism, and classification of cfDNA, etc., and describes the latest research progress of cfDNA in personal identification of crime scene touch DNA samples and non-invasive prenatal paternity testing (NIPPT). Meanwhile, this paper summarizes the potential application of cfDNA in injury inference, and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of common cfDNA analysis methods and techniques, and its application prospects, to provide a new idea for the wide application of cfDNA in the field of forensic science.

Influence of incubation temperature, maternal effects, and paternity on quality of olive ridley hatchlings (Lepidochelys olivacea) from a mass-nesting beach in the Mexican Pacific.

Future climate change scenarios project that the increase in surface temperatures will affect ocean temperatures, inducing shifts in marine biodiversity. Sea turtles are species that are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change because temperature is a factor that influences embryonic development. We collected clutches of olive ridley turtles from a mass-nesting beach in the Mexican Pacific, which were incubated in ex situ conditions. When the hatchlings emerged, we measured the body condition index-which evaluates the weight-length relationship-and swim thrust, both were considered traits associated with fitness, termed "fitness proxies," and evaluated the effects of incubation temperature, maternal effects, and paternity on these fitness proxies. The body condition index was correlated positively and significantly with the arribada month and temperature during the last third of the incubation period but showed an inverse relationship with the maternal effect. While swim thrust was positively correlated with the maternal effect and the arribada month, there was an inverse relationship with incubation temperature during the first third of the period. Paternity, whether single or multiple, did not have a significant effect on either fitness proxies; however, it may have effects on the average fitness of a population of hatchlings. These results underscore the need to expand research on the sublethal effects of high incubation temperatures on the adaptation and survival of sea turtles, particularly in scenarios of rapid climate change.

How much multiple paternity should we expect? A study of birds and contrast with mammals.

Parentage analyses via molecular markers have revealed multiple paternity within the broods of polytocous species, reshaping our understanding of animal behavior, ecology, and evolution. In a meta-analysis of multiple paternity in bird and mammal species, we conducted a literature search and found 138 bird and 64 mammal populations with microsatellite DNA paternity results. Bird populations averaged 19.5% multiple paternity and mammals more than twice that level (46.1%). We used a Bayesian approach to construct a null model for how multiple paternity should behave at random among species, under the assumption that all mated males have equal likelihood of siring success, given mean brood size and mean number of sires. We compared the differences between the null model and the actual probabilities of multiple paternity. While a few bird populations fell close to the null model, most did not, averaging 34.0-percentage points below null model predictions; mammals had an average probability of multiple paternity 13.6-percentage points below the null model. Differences between bird and mammal species were also subjected to comparative phylogenetic analyses that generally confirmed our analyses that did not adjust for estimated historical relationships. Birds exhibited extremely low probabilities of multiple paternity, not only compared to mammals but also relative to other major animal taxa. The generally low probability of multiple paternity in birds might be produced by a variety of factors, including behaviors that reflect sexual selection (extreme mate guarding or unifocal female choice) and sperm competition (e.g., precedence effects favoring fertilization by early or late matings).

The cuckoldry conundrum.

Concerns about cuckoldry are a dominant theme in evolutionary studies of mating, frequently used to explain sex differences in reproductive strategies. However, studies in nonhuman species have shown that cuckoldry can be associated with important benefits. These insights have not been well integrated with the human literature, which continues to focus on anticuckoldry tactics and negative repercussions for men. I evaluate two key assumptions central to human models of cuckoldry: (1) men are being tricked into investing in nonbiological offspring and (2) investment in nonbiological offspring is wasted. The ethnographic data on fatherhood shows that the concepts of pater and genitor are complex and locally constructed ideas that often include explicit knowledge of extra-pair paternity, countering the idea that nonpaternity results from trickery. Furthermore, rather than being a "waste," paternity loss can be associated with important gains for men, helping to explain why men invest in nonbiological offspring.

Discriminative Grandparental Investment in China : Evidence from an Undergraduate Questionnaire Study.

Many studies in Western societies show a pattern of discriminative grandparental investment as follows: maternal grandmothers (MGMs) > maternal grandfathers (MGFs) > paternal grandmothers (PGMs) > paternal grandfathers (PGFs). This pattern is in line with the expectation from evolutionary reasoning. Yet whether or not this pattern applies in China is in question. The present study was based on a questionnaire survey at a university in Central China (N = 1,195). Results show that (1) when grandparent-grandchild residential distance during grandchildren's childhood is controlled, in the case of grandsons and granddaughters as a whole and granddaughters only, both grandparental caregiving and grandchildren's emotional closeness to grandparents display a rank order of MGM > MGF > PGM > PGF, but in the case of grandsons only, this order is not statistically significant. (2) There are stable relationships between grandparental caregiving/grandchildren's emotional closeness and residential distance/similarity in appearance. (3) The effects of residential distance on either PGFs' or PGMs' caregiving exceed those on either MGFs' or MGMs'. (4) The PGF and PGM prefer grandsons to granddaughters in their caregiving, whereas the MGF and MGM do not have a sex preference, and (5) the fact that the PGF and PGM invest more in grandsons than in granddaughters does not depend on grandsons' duration of living in a rural area. Our results suggest that (1) in general, the Chinese display a pattern of differential grandparental investment predicted by an evolutionary perspective, (2) the evolutionary perspective that combines the two factors of paternal uncertainty and sex-specific reproductive strategies is applicable to grandparental investment in China, and (3) the traditional son-preference culture also plays some role in affecting grandparental investment in China, though the roles of culture and urban-rural cultural difference should not be exaggerated.