Susan, Thanks for pointing out the "biological imperative" aspect. Still, it's hard to separate the cultural-economic basis from the biological one.

Some societies, for instance, will allow--even encourage--a WIDOW to remarry, but not a raped woman. How can the biological argument can't explain that?

Also, a woman is not NECESSARILY ostracized as much for fornication (voluntary) as for being raped (although she often may be).

And not all animals, or all human societies, shun the offspring of males other than the husband, patriarch, alpha male, etc.

Genie