Sexuality and gender are often at the forefront of cultural and political debate today. In his new book, The Sexual Evolution: How 500 Million Years of Sex, Gender, and Mating Shape Modern Relationships (Mariner Books), evolutionary biologist Nathan H. Lents details how the animal world may hold many answers to these concepts. In this Q&A, Lents details how animal relationships can offer perspective on sexual diversity, social monogamy and gender identity.
Michael Savitzky/Mariner Books
Newsweek: What drew you to the field of evolutionary biology?
Lenses: I’ve loved both history and biology since childhood. Evolutionary biology is the study of the natural history of life, and humans have always been fascinated by our history. In previous eras, cultures developed various creation myths to explain our origins. But now, science is developing tools and methodologies to probe our biological history and it is a thrill to play a small role in that.
Why is looking at human sexuality and relationships through that lens useful?
I maintain that the evolutionary lens is essential for understanding anything about us. Furthermore, sex and sexuality have likely played an outsized role in our evolution because of how directly they impact reproductive success. Humans have many relationships that dearly matter to them. Parental relationships, sibling relationships, friendships, extended family, business partnerships and so on. But our romantic partners—the ones we have sex with—usually take priority over all others. I think that is a reminder of how sex connects our past to our future.