Inequality between the sexes is pervasive both outside and inside home. One contributing factor could be dispersal of one sex at marriage that sets up sex-specific differences in relatedness to group. Here we exploit ecological diversity different social structures found southwest China investigate role sex-biased on inequality sexual division labor. We use a wearable fitness tracker validated readings by confirming participants' daily "steps" were positively correlated with time spent...

Amdo Tibetans, a devout and cohesive non-industrial society, intertwine religious practices, such as pray, kowtow, pilgrimage, aspect of their private public lives. This unique cultural framework fosters profound connection between practices health behaviors. The primary aim this study was to assess the links (pray, pilgrimage) mental health, well physical activity function among older Tibetans. A cross-sectional field survey conducted involving 538 agropastoral Tibetans aged ≥40, situated...

Abstract Why parents in some societies induce of their sons to become religious celibates is an evolutionary puzzle. Some have speculated that this might be associated with brother competition for family resources. However, the behavioral ecology monks and possible links between brothers remain unexplored. Here, we use demographic data from Amdo Tibetan agropastoralists western China evaluate what factors determine probability becoming a monk explore association wealth having brother. We...

Costly rituals convey commitment to communities and advertise trustworthiness cooperativeness peers, which might explain why humans perform costly religious rituals. Here, we compare the efficacy of occasional public displays versus regular but less acts for prestige enhancement. We collected data on behaviors ranging from daily low-cost practices infrequent high-cost pilgrimages distant locations among residents an agricultural Tibetan village, as well their reputational standings. find...

Religious celibate monks at the household level possibly reduce all-cause mortality risk among non-monk older Tibetans. This study aims to investigate association between having a monk in family and of members Tibetan population. Baseline interviews were conducted for 713 agropastoral Amdo Tibetans aged ≥50 years residing eastern Plateau from 2016 2017. The Cox mixed-effects regression model was used estimate other members. Potential confounders included age, sex, size, educational...

Reputational considerations favour cooperation and thus we expect less in larger communities where people are well known to each other. Some argue that institutions are, therefore, necessary coordinate large-scale cooperation, including moralizing religions promote through the fear of divine punishment. Here, use community size as a proxy for reputational concerns, test whether small, stable more cooperative than large, both religious non-religious contexts. We conducted donation game on...

The influence of inclusive fitness interests on the evolution human institutions remains unclear. Religious celibacy constitutes an especially puzzling institution, often deemed maladaptive. Here, we present sociodemographic data from agropastoralist Buddhist population in western China, where parents sometimes sent a son to monastery. We find that men with monk brother father more children, and grandparents have grandchildren, suggesting practice is adaptive. develop model elucidate costs...

The number of studies examining gender differences in the social relationship rewards associated with costly religious practice has been surprisingly low. Here, we use data from 289 residents an agricultural Tibetan village to assess whether individuals are more inclined establish supportive relationships general and investigate disparities between religiosity personal network characteristics. Our results reveal that participation rituals contributes overall development support networks....

Ecological differences between human populations can affect the relative strength of sexual selection, and hence drive gender inequality. Here, we exploit cultural diversity southwestern China, where some village sex ratios are female-biased, in part due to a proportion males entering monastic celibacy, evaluate role ratio on division labor. We used detachable activity tracker measure workload by step counts both sexes among 561 individuals 55 villages six different areas. show that lower...

The influence of inclusive fitness interests on the evolution human institutions remains unclear. Religious celibacy constitutes an especially puzzling institution, often deemed maladaptive. Here, we present sociodemographic data from agropastoralist Buddhist population in western China, where parents sometimes sent a son to monastery. We find that men with monk brother father more children, and grandparents have grandchildren, suggesting practice is adaptive. develop model elucidate costs...

Many have attempted to explain the evolutionary origins of religion and some suggest that religiosity promotes cooperation. But empirical works evaluating links between religious practices social cooperative networks been surprisingly few, whether celibacy helps structure local support remains explore. Here, we draw on network data among residents an agricultural Tibetan village evaluate people are more likely establish supportive relationships with individuals consanguineous kins celibates,...

Costly rituals convey the commitment to communities and advertise trustworthiness cooperativeness peers, which might explain why humans perform costly religious rituals. Here, we compare efficacy of occasional public displays versus regular but less acts for prestige enhancement. We collected data on practices ranging from daily routine infrequently elaborate distant pilgrimages among residents an agricultural Tibetan village, as well their reputational standings. find that are mediated by...

Inequality between the sexes is pervasive both outside and inside home. One contributing factor could be dispersal of one sex at marriage that sets up sex-specific differences in relatedness to group. Here we exploit ecological diversity different social structures found southwest China investigate role sex-biased on inequality sexual division labour. We use a wearable fitness tracker validated readings by confirming participants' daily ‘steps’ were positively correlated with time spent...