Fertility/ Fecundity Adaption In high Altitude Locations
The issue of fertility/ fecundity has been a prominent topic with lots of research and not many conclusions. There are many determining factors that are possible explanations for lower fertility rates in higher altitudes. Described in the book, Human Adaptability, by Emilio F. Moran some of these factors are hypoxia(problem from low oxygen pressure), cold, and malnutrition as factors of low fertility. Scholarly authors; Goldstein, Tsarong, and Beall, argue in their article, High Altitude Hypoxia, Culture, and Human Fecundity/Fertility: A Comparative Study, that there are low fertility rates in some areas of high altitudes, however there is contradictive evidence in other high altitude locations. I would stand to say that the fertility rates are most likely not described solely to the altitude where they live, but that there are many cultural aspects that are involved, such as their religious beliefs, and cultural customs.
Moran discusses the theory that, “there appears to be no hypoxic stress on the fetus during pregnancy, possibly as a result of an increase in the size of the placenta, which facilitates delivery of oxygen to the fetus without unduly increasing the demands on the mother. Infant mortality is most often a result of low birth weight. The stress of altitude is further exacerbated by poverty and poor health services”(172). This argument attributes low fertility levels to several factors, and names altitude as one contributor to the issue.
The contradictory argument from the article admits that, “More recently, attention turned to another major high altitude zone, the Himalayas. The first reports from this area dealt with Khumbu Sherpas of Nepal. These depicted extremely low fertility (Weitz et al. 1978; Gupta 1978, 1980) and appeared to corroborate Andean findings of a hypoxic effect (Gupta 1978, 1980; Bangham and Sacherer 1980; Weitz 1981b). However, subsequent research in Limi, another high altitude area in Nepal (Goldstein 1981b), reported contrary findings and questioned the validity of these reports”(29). This would arouse the thinking that perhaps there is many cultural aspects working together that would create this difference between cultures living in these high altitude regions.
Comparing these arguments, I stand on the opinion that there are many cultural aspects that are involved in fertility/fecundity of a society than the altitude at which they live. It will of course play a role in the adaption of people to their environment so that they are living “good enough” to survive, but their religion, and customs will play a significant role as well when determining the levels of fertilities and the reasons for it.
1) Moran, Emilio F. Human Adaptability. CO: Westview Press, 2008.
2) Goldstein, Melvyn C., Tsarong,Paljor, and Beall, Cynthia M. ”High Altitude Hypoxia Culture, and Human Fecundity/Fertility: A Comparative Study”American Anthropologist, New Series, Vol. 85, No. 1 (Mar., 1983), pp. 28-49Blackwell Publishing on behalf of the American Anthropological Association. 14 October 2009. http://www.jstor.org/stable/676031
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I agree with the author that fertility is a result of cultural and religious aspect, especially in modern society. People living in modern/industrialize city tend to have less kids than people living in rural/developing countries due to numerous reasons such as the costs of raising kids, the lack of time to take care of the kids, the cost of giving birth, etc. In contrast people living in rural/developing countries tend to have more children probably because an extra person is necessary for helping around the house, the farm, or to provide extra income.
ReplyDeleteI remembered back in high school, all sophomores were required to take a health class in order to graduate. The class taught us either to stay abstinence until marriage or use alternative methods until we are ready to have kids. They used to tell us of the tremendous responsibility and the cost it required to have kids. The ideas they are teaching us are part of the modern cultural values and not because of environmental factors.