A very astute argument, Jon. We Humming Beans tend to over-regard ourselves as 'civilised' and sexually egalitarian but the factual truth (as affirmed by a preponderance of anthropological psychologists) is that we are still captives of our evolutionary development. Despite the superficial veneer of 'enlightenment' and rationalism that we love to hide behind, our emotions will always take precedence over our intellects when it comes to basic behavioral traits such as mating.

In this specific context, cultural influences like religion (e.g as in Judeo-Christianity) have generally acted to suppress our baser, more primitive tendencies...certainly the case in America. One may look to the introduction of 'good, respectable Christian women' to the American frontier as being chiefly responsible for the 'taming' and gentling of rugged male behavioral patterns then extant. That was, of course, the start of the complete reversal of roles and priorities we find prevailing today in 'progressive', contemporary America, where men are now dismissed as generally beyond salvation and women have been elevated to omniscient Athena-like status.

Where is Robert Bly when we need him most?! As someone recently noted, "The older I get, the more I understand that 'look' on Clint Eastwood's face..."