Arguing about the temperature in the house? This has an evolutionary cause

Why do men and women constantly argue about the setting of the heating or air conditioning? The answer to this: evolution.

You probably already knew that women get cold faster than men. But why is that so? Israeli scientists have now found an explanation for this: women and men are intentionally programmed this way. It is nature’s intention that women run faster in the cold than men!

Keeping men and women apart increases evolutionary opportunities

Because females seek a warmer spot than males, the sexes are kept apart. If large groups of males and females live together for long periods of time, aggression may develop within the group of males among themselves, as they may start fighting over the same female. From an evolutionary point of view, it is better for reproduction if peace is kept in the group. To maintain a specie, it is not helpful if they start fighting with each other.

Keeping men and women apart increases evolutionary opportunities

Because females seek a warmer spot than males, the sexes are kept apart. If large groups of males and females live together for long periods of time, aggression may develop within the group of males among themselves, as they may start fighting over the same female. From an evolutionary point of view, it is better for reproduction if peace is kept in the group. To maintain a specie, it is not helpful if they start fighting with each other.

How did this research come about?

Israeli scientists at the University of Tel Aviv, the Universeit of Haifa and the Sourasky Tel Aviv Medical Center (Tali Magory Cohen, Yosef Kiat, Haggai Sharon and Eran Levin) wondered why women experience temperature differently than men. According to Dr. Eran Levin, different temperature preferences reflect differences in the nervous system. Just as men and women experience pain differently, they also experience heat and cold differently.

To find out why this is so, the researchers tracked 40 years of data on the behavior of bats and birds in Israel. These animals exhibit the same fascinating temperature preference as humans.

According to lead author Dr. Eran Levin, in birds and bats, this causes sexes to be separated outside the breeding season, reducing competition between males and females. It reduces aggression caused by competition for females. And it also reduces aggression toward women and their children

And so the argument over the thermostat is a thing of the past

That thermostat could well be turned down a degree with a pair of heated socks in your slippers or a pair of heated indoor gloves. Not only better for the climate, but also for your relationship!