BS: Why do females live longer than males?

Subject: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: gnu
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 02:24 PM

New study here.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 02:35 PM

And I just thought it was that they made...oops better not go there now; someone female looking over my shoulder.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: GUEST,mauvepink
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 02:55 PM

I am not sure the question is as relevent in humans now as it once was. For sure male and female mortality rates do vary but they are seeming to converge more now.

Human life history variation and sex differences in mortality rates

In humans there are far more variables than in many other animal groups.

I am not sure if the OP was directing to the human instance but I think the above paper will help dispell some myths about why we women should/do live longer.

Testosterone is still probably THE most single factor that effects differences in mortality rates between the genders. But such studies in humans are very hard to carry out on a worldwide basis and, while the OP's initial paper makes interesting reading, I think the human side of it is much more complicated.

mp

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: Rapparee
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 03:28 PM

Because they're smart enough not to do things like trying to cross a deep, deep chasm on a rotten log, drive 120 mph on the ice, try to outdrink someone else, or any of the thousand other things the (male) flesh is heir to.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: Little Robyn
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 03:31 PM

I think it has a lot to do with stress and the work situation.
But then my Mum died at 62 and Dad went on to be 86.
Does that tell you something about their lives?
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 03:36 PM

psssst... hey gnu... its cuz we are poisoning you guys...

in the womb....

muuwwhhahahahhahhahaahaa

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 03:42 PM

Higher rates of work accidents, at least in the past, counterbalanced by death in childbirth. Weaker metabolism to start with. More years in the workforce in the past = different stress, now being caught up by women. Less medical care by choice or culture. Perhaps poorer nutritional choices. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 03:43 PM

more war fatalities. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: Mavis Enderby
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 03:43 PM

"Pandora says that women live longer than men. She says it's a bonus because women suffer so much when they're younger"

Sue Townsend - The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 04:01 PM

A report today on BBC news that there is a gene difference. Males have a gene that tends to make them larger than women, but also shorten their life relatively to women.

The same story as reported by Gnu.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8390055.stm
"Men's genes 'may limit lifespan'
02 December 2009.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: skipy
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 04:06 PM

Why do men die before their wives? Ans:- because they want too!

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: gnu
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 04:14 PM

skipy... after V Tam's post, I had thought about that... "if I have to spend another minute...."

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: bobad
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 04:32 PM

Why do females live longer than males?

Because they don't marry women.


Just a joke........calm down!

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: gnu
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 04:40 PM

Seems to be more than just me, eh Bobad?

I recall a comic on TV saying it's because they are faithful to their marriage vows and need a "legal" way out.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 04:46 PM

oi!

You guys knock it off. It wasn't always so that women lived longer then men.

The increased life expectancy of women came about with the advent of birth control, disease control and easier lifestyles thanks to automation of many hard graft tasks.

Men went from keeping fit on the job in fields and factories to sitting at a desk all day and having highball lunches.

Doesn't take a genius to figure it out.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: gnu
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 04:47 PM

Ahhhh... let ye who is without....

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: frogprince
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 04:51 PM

...stones, cast the first

...now wait a minute, how did that go...

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: gnu
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 04:54 PM

Froggy! Hahahahaaa... I LOVE IT!

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: Rasener
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 05:12 PM

Becuase they nag us to death. :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: Ebbie
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 05:27 PM

Cuz we is smorter. We send our men to war, into the crawl space alone in the icy cold when the pipes freeze while we stay upstairs bundled up warmly, we send them to check out the noise in the middle of the night, we send them into the woods to do the logging, and onto the water for commercial fishing, just lots of pleasant things. See? We is smorter.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: gnu
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 05:27 PM

Yer pushin the folds now, V. Careful.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 05:33 PM

This woman bashing attitude is really getting me down. I am 51, my life expectancy since early 30s is about 58 to 62 due to a myriad of health problems and some genetic factors. I am not going to live longer than my darling husband who is 8 years my senior. And yet I am so glad of it because I would just fall apart without him.

If you are nagged to death then it is up to you to do something about it. Make it stop by some (legal and considerate) means or get out. Not fair for you to harbour such ill will against all women because of a few.

I don't hold my ex husband's errors against all men. And I was in hell for over 20 years thinking it was all my fault (he was the one who constantly nagged me). Might be part of the reason my health is failing. The stress of that first marriage was immense. But I take responsibility for my part. I should have picked my battles more judiciously and I should have had the sense to leave when it became so obviously untenable.

So please don't be so mysogynistic. It doesn't look good on you fellas. That kind of latent anger can't be good for your health either.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: Midchuck
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 05:33 PM

In my grandparents time, ladies didn't smoke. And a gentleman who didn't smoke was considered a little strange.

As smoking for women became accepted, there was a convergence in age at death, as indicated above.

You've come a long way, baby.

P.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: Rasener
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 05:52 PM

Virginia Tam - I was joking, thats why I put a smiley afterwards :-)
Its important for people to pick up on these things. If I hadn't put the smiley, then that would have been different.

I can understand your issues as I will undoubtedly die before my wife who is 11 years younger than me. My health is not great. Worse for me is that I will leave my lovely Autistic daughter behind and when my wife dies, she is on her own and that is more unbearable than anybody can ever realise.

So take it easy, we need humour at times.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: Rasener
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 05:54 PM

Oh incidentally my wife doesn't nag me and we have been together for 34 years.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 06:01 PM

sorry the villan. i get too serious for me own good sometimes.

you have my sympathy re leaving daughter behind. breaks my heart that my younger daughter no longer has her older sister. my hope had been they would look after each other. now my fear is that she too will have shortened life due to similar health problems.

so much sadder and worrying to have to fear for child with special needs.

arrghh! must find funny thread now. can't go to bed on this downer.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: Alice
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 06:01 PM

Years ago, someone emailed me this photo with the caption:

"Why women live longer than men."
Photo Clicky

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: Rasener
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 06:03 PM

No problem VT :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: Bobert
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 06:15 PM

Hey, this ain't rocket surgery here...

Of course guys die earlier... The womenz work our poor butts to death... Sho nuff do... Then they sit around all depressed 'n lonely wishin' that they hadn't done it but, hey, they is womenz and they can't help themselves... Sho nuff can't...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: gnu
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 06:46 PM

I had hoped the premise of the thread would foster true scientific curiosity and debate and, moreso, humour. Apparently, humour is debatable.

No matter.... I find both fun, and if it has fostered any ill will, it does not fall on my part.

That's a dick joke.

Read the humour thread.

Even if Kendall didn't spell the title correctly.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: Alice
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 06:56 PM

For what it's worth, I think the article on the genetic study is interesting.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: artbrooks
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 08:46 PM

Clearly, the answer is somehow connected to the point of who lives with whom. I'd be interested in a study that separated out the data for heterosexual vs. gay/lesbian marriages/relationships vs. single individuals.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: Ed T
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 10:10 PM

To take up space in the seniors complex....just a guess....: >)

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: CarolC
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 10:37 PM

Men who are married or in committed relationships with women live longer than men who are single. Women live essentially the same length of time whether they are in committed relationships with men or not.

Just thought I'd put that one out there for those who like to blame women for men's shorter life span.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: artbrooks
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 10:49 PM

Carol, please cite your source. I'd like to see that data.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: GUEST,999
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 10:51 PM

Well, . . . .

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: CarolC
Date: 02 Dec 09 - 11:06 PM

I'd heard about a study that established what I posted above. I don't know if this is the same study, but a Google search did find reference to a study that at least produced the same results...

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-106521530.html

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: bubblyrat
Date: 03 Dec 09 - 05:42 AM

Sorry, but it should be "those data", not "that data"----data (many bits of information ) is the plural of datum ( one bit of information).Hence-
    This (or that !) datum
      These or those data

          Simples !

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: frogprince
Date: 03 Dec 09 - 11:58 AM

The whole thread is absurd; while there are females out there who are 6 feet or more long, they are very rare compared to males; there is a distinct difference in the averages. If I remember correctly, there is a limited range of childhood age during which females tend to live a bit longer. But, during the entire period throughout which males and females live, males are decidedly longer on the average.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 03 Dec 09 - 12:05 PM

I used to subscribe to 'Science News.' They reported some years ago on a study that concluded that in the U.S., if you corrected for smoking and for violent tendencies, then men lived as long as women.

What a relief. I could stop feeling guilty about all that.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 03 Dec 09 - 12:09 PM

Maybe it's because females read the directions first before proceeding.

Love the photo of fixing the truck. I've got to try that some time!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 03 Dec 09 - 12:45 PM

Is it 'cos they don't eat chocolate?

Is it 'cos they drive off cliff edges, rather than ask the way? ;0)

Or it could be that women *love* them to death.....which is a pretty cool way to go, when you think about it...

Tam, I'd chuck all your medical forecasts out the window about life expectancy, and just live the life that's already been allotted to you. No-one knows how long anyone is going to live, despite all this scientific oojeewhatsitstuff. I believe we're all predestined to live a certain time, and there's nowt we can do about it apart from enjoy each day that we are given..Besides, I think your wonderful sense of humour will add at least 20 years to your life!

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: gnu
Date: 03 Dec 09 - 01:45 PM

We still ain't gonna listen.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 03 Dec 09 - 03:45 PM

Ahhh, but we pack so much more in:-)

Q. How can you tell the difference between male and femail gnomes?

A. Length of beard...

I'm NOT telling you how long mine is :-P

DeG

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: Ed T
Date: 03 Dec 09 - 04:21 PM

A study from the University of Sheffield, says that men that practice polygamy lived on average 12% longer than monogamous men.
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn14564-polygamy-is-the-key-to-a-long-life.html

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: Ed T
Date: 03 Dec 09 - 04:27 PM

Some potential answers here:http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091028022536AAFQR7W

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: artbrooks
Date: 03 Dec 09 - 07:10 PM

Thank you, CarolC.

BTW, "data" is used as both a singular and collective noun, and there appears (according to the entirely unscientific survey I just did of Google) to be a slight bias toward the former in the US and a similarly slight bias toward the latter in the UK.

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: CarolC
Date: 04 Dec 09 - 12:20 AM

And then there's, "hold my beer and watch this".

Subject: RE: BS: Why do females live longer than males?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 04 Dec 09 - 05:58 AM

We don't; it just feels like it because we don't spend quite so much of it drunk (a situation I have tried very hard to rectify during my lifetime...)

LTS