Would simultaneous hermaphrodites wage war?

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I have a world where populated by simultaneous hermaphrodites. Which are like human women plus male reproductive organs, penis and testicles. They could father children like human males, and bear children like human female. Their bearing fertility drops in the 30s and they enter menopause as human female.



Technology is at a early iron age level. Society is tribal in nature. Most hermaphrodites marry and raise children as couples. In some couples both partners bear and sire children. In others more attractive (richer, higher in status) partner sires while less attractive (poorer, lower in status) bears children. Lowest members usually don't have partners, and raise their children from extra-maritial wiring. Few elites have several wives.



Testosterone has similar effect as in humans but less pronounced: more muscle mass, more aggression, more body hair, potential for balding, reduced ability to bear.



Hermaphrodites with small chances to sire children (unattractive, poor, low status) sometimes undergo castration. Everything else being the same castrated hermaphrodites are considered more attractive as wives due to more pronounced feminine characteristics. Criminals are often castrated against their will, especially the violent ones to make them less aggressive.



Does it make sense to have inter-tribal warfare under above circumstances?



On one hand hermaphrodite tribes who conquer other tribes could increase their fitness by killing the older enemies and taking the younger members as their wives. On the other hand why should any member make a risk, since they could reproduce anyway.










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  • 5




    Why wouldn't they have war still? Most wars in real life have had nothing to do with finding a mate.
    – Ryan_L
    2 hours ago






  • 1




    @Ryan_LR so fight war over resources, wells, herds, pastures and have mates as an extra?
    – Biafra
    2 hours ago






  • 1




    You might be interested in Ursula K. Le Guin's The Left Hand of Darkness which explores a race of androgynous humans who lack war but not conflict.
    – Mike Nichols
    1 hour ago














up vote
3
down vote

favorite












I have a world where populated by simultaneous hermaphrodites. Which are like human women plus male reproductive organs, penis and testicles. They could father children like human males, and bear children like human female. Their bearing fertility drops in the 30s and they enter menopause as human female.



Technology is at a early iron age level. Society is tribal in nature. Most hermaphrodites marry and raise children as couples. In some couples both partners bear and sire children. In others more attractive (richer, higher in status) partner sires while less attractive (poorer, lower in status) bears children. Lowest members usually don't have partners, and raise their children from extra-maritial wiring. Few elites have several wives.



Testosterone has similar effect as in humans but less pronounced: more muscle mass, more aggression, more body hair, potential for balding, reduced ability to bear.



Hermaphrodites with small chances to sire children (unattractive, poor, low status) sometimes undergo castration. Everything else being the same castrated hermaphrodites are considered more attractive as wives due to more pronounced feminine characteristics. Criminals are often castrated against their will, especially the violent ones to make them less aggressive.



Does it make sense to have inter-tribal warfare under above circumstances?



On one hand hermaphrodite tribes who conquer other tribes could increase their fitness by killing the older enemies and taking the younger members as their wives. On the other hand why should any member make a risk, since they could reproduce anyway.










share|improve this question







New contributor




Biafra is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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  • 5




    Why wouldn't they have war still? Most wars in real life have had nothing to do with finding a mate.
    – Ryan_L
    2 hours ago






  • 1




    @Ryan_LR so fight war over resources, wells, herds, pastures and have mates as an extra?
    – Biafra
    2 hours ago






  • 1




    You might be interested in Ursula K. Le Guin's The Left Hand of Darkness which explores a race of androgynous humans who lack war but not conflict.
    – Mike Nichols
    1 hour ago












up vote
3
down vote

favorite









up vote
3
down vote

favorite











I have a world where populated by simultaneous hermaphrodites. Which are like human women plus male reproductive organs, penis and testicles. They could father children like human males, and bear children like human female. Their bearing fertility drops in the 30s and they enter menopause as human female.



Technology is at a early iron age level. Society is tribal in nature. Most hermaphrodites marry and raise children as couples. In some couples both partners bear and sire children. In others more attractive (richer, higher in status) partner sires while less attractive (poorer, lower in status) bears children. Lowest members usually don't have partners, and raise their children from extra-maritial wiring. Few elites have several wives.



Testosterone has similar effect as in humans but less pronounced: more muscle mass, more aggression, more body hair, potential for balding, reduced ability to bear.



Hermaphrodites with small chances to sire children (unattractive, poor, low status) sometimes undergo castration. Everything else being the same castrated hermaphrodites are considered more attractive as wives due to more pronounced feminine characteristics. Criminals are often castrated against their will, especially the violent ones to make them less aggressive.



Does it make sense to have inter-tribal warfare under above circumstances?



On one hand hermaphrodite tribes who conquer other tribes could increase their fitness by killing the older enemies and taking the younger members as their wives. On the other hand why should any member make a risk, since they could reproduce anyway.










share|improve this question







New contributor




Biafra is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











I have a world where populated by simultaneous hermaphrodites. Which are like human women plus male reproductive organs, penis and testicles. They could father children like human males, and bear children like human female. Their bearing fertility drops in the 30s and they enter menopause as human female.



Technology is at a early iron age level. Society is tribal in nature. Most hermaphrodites marry and raise children as couples. In some couples both partners bear and sire children. In others more attractive (richer, higher in status) partner sires while less attractive (poorer, lower in status) bears children. Lowest members usually don't have partners, and raise their children from extra-maritial wiring. Few elites have several wives.



Testosterone has similar effect as in humans but less pronounced: more muscle mass, more aggression, more body hair, potential for balding, reduced ability to bear.



Hermaphrodites with small chances to sire children (unattractive, poor, low status) sometimes undergo castration. Everything else being the same castrated hermaphrodites are considered more attractive as wives due to more pronounced feminine characteristics. Criminals are often castrated against their will, especially the violent ones to make them less aggressive.



Does it make sense to have inter-tribal warfare under above circumstances?



On one hand hermaphrodite tribes who conquer other tribes could increase their fitness by killing the older enemies and taking the younger members as their wives. On the other hand why should any member make a risk, since they could reproduce anyway.







reality-check warfare earth-like social-norms






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  • 5




    Why wouldn't they have war still? Most wars in real life have had nothing to do with finding a mate.
    – Ryan_L
    2 hours ago






  • 1




    @Ryan_LR so fight war over resources, wells, herds, pastures and have mates as an extra?
    – Biafra
    2 hours ago






  • 1




    You might be interested in Ursula K. Le Guin's The Left Hand of Darkness which explores a race of androgynous humans who lack war but not conflict.
    – Mike Nichols
    1 hour ago












  • 5




    Why wouldn't they have war still? Most wars in real life have had nothing to do with finding a mate.
    – Ryan_L
    2 hours ago






  • 1




    @Ryan_LR so fight war over resources, wells, herds, pastures and have mates as an extra?
    – Biafra
    2 hours ago






  • 1




    You might be interested in Ursula K. Le Guin's The Left Hand of Darkness which explores a race of androgynous humans who lack war but not conflict.
    – Mike Nichols
    1 hour ago







5




5




Why wouldn't they have war still? Most wars in real life have had nothing to do with finding a mate.
– Ryan_L
2 hours ago




Why wouldn't they have war still? Most wars in real life have had nothing to do with finding a mate.
– Ryan_L
2 hours ago




1




1




@Ryan_LR so fight war over resources, wells, herds, pastures and have mates as an extra?
– Biafra
2 hours ago




@Ryan_LR so fight war over resources, wells, herds, pastures and have mates as an extra?
– Biafra
2 hours ago




1




1




You might be interested in Ursula K. Le Guin's The Left Hand of Darkness which explores a race of androgynous humans who lack war but not conflict.
– Mike Nichols
1 hour ago




You might be interested in Ursula K. Le Guin's The Left Hand of Darkness which explores a race of androgynous humans who lack war but not conflict.
– Mike Nichols
1 hour ago










2 Answers
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Yes, war is rarely about reproduction.



The most common historical reasons for war can be grouped into the following categories: Economic Gain, Territorial Gain, Religion, Nationalism, Revenge, Civil War, Revolutionary War, and Defensive (preemptive) War.



As long as one of these factors is strong enough, there could be wars. The society you describe might consider wives either an Economic or Territorial gain, but that doesn't rule out other, non-reproductive, Economic or Territorial forces.



The easiest reason for tribes to go to war in the situation you describes is probably territorial. If one tribe has access to a particularly good iron deposit, other tribes might fight to acquire that territory, and the other tribe defending it.






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    up vote
    2
    down vote













    Of course they will. If the tribe has something that others want, they must be able to protect it. And if other tribes have something they need, they could either trade for it, steal it or loot it.



    Fertile land, herds, pastures, hunting grounds, springs, trade routes anything important for tribe livelihood might be something worth fighting for.



    Since hermaphrodites lack expendable young males to fight their wars, individuals in their 30's and 40's will most likely play that role. Since they are still strong enough to handle the physical stress, but their fertility decline makes them less valuable for child bearing.



    Or they could specialize.




    Strapping young girl? Military caste. Go forth, try your best to kill
    or be killed. Take risks. Don't breed, as death in childbirth is the
    worst shame a warrior can know. If you grow old enough to become a man
    then you have an awful lot of experience and can be used to train the
    raw recruits, not to mention stud the next generation of warriors into
    existence.



    Likely to get killed in the first skirmish? Don't worry: There's
    always a need for the working caste. Feel free to breed if you want
    to, but don't expect any special treatment from the other castes.
    You're here to primarily support the other castes, including taking
    care of other people's children if required. If you grow old enough to
    become a man then bully for you.



    Wide hips? Good pedigree? Mother has a history of twins? Breeder
    caste. You get food, protection and your pick of the men. You're
    likely going to die giving birth, but hey, at least you perpetuated
    the species. If you don't die and manage to live long enough to be a
    man then clearly you're good at this whole 'giving birth' thing, and
    the next generation could use some of your genetic material. Go forth
    and multiply.




    Maybe even have warrior tribes, who extract tribute from peasant tribes. Those who refuse to pay are vanquished and sold into slavery. Which is good occupation for tribes who practice warfare as part of their life, for example by herding and hunting.






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      2 Answers
      2






      active

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      2 Answers
      2






      active

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      active

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      up vote
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      down vote













      Yes, war is rarely about reproduction.



      The most common historical reasons for war can be grouped into the following categories: Economic Gain, Territorial Gain, Religion, Nationalism, Revenge, Civil War, Revolutionary War, and Defensive (preemptive) War.



      As long as one of these factors is strong enough, there could be wars. The society you describe might consider wives either an Economic or Territorial gain, but that doesn't rule out other, non-reproductive, Economic or Territorial forces.



      The easiest reason for tribes to go to war in the situation you describes is probably territorial. If one tribe has access to a particularly good iron deposit, other tribes might fight to acquire that territory, and the other tribe defending it.






      share|improve this answer
























        up vote
        4
        down vote













        Yes, war is rarely about reproduction.



        The most common historical reasons for war can be grouped into the following categories: Economic Gain, Territorial Gain, Religion, Nationalism, Revenge, Civil War, Revolutionary War, and Defensive (preemptive) War.



        As long as one of these factors is strong enough, there could be wars. The society you describe might consider wives either an Economic or Territorial gain, but that doesn't rule out other, non-reproductive, Economic or Territorial forces.



        The easiest reason for tribes to go to war in the situation you describes is probably territorial. If one tribe has access to a particularly good iron deposit, other tribes might fight to acquire that territory, and the other tribe defending it.






        share|improve this answer






















          up vote
          4
          down vote










          up vote
          4
          down vote









          Yes, war is rarely about reproduction.



          The most common historical reasons for war can be grouped into the following categories: Economic Gain, Territorial Gain, Religion, Nationalism, Revenge, Civil War, Revolutionary War, and Defensive (preemptive) War.



          As long as one of these factors is strong enough, there could be wars. The society you describe might consider wives either an Economic or Territorial gain, but that doesn't rule out other, non-reproductive, Economic or Territorial forces.



          The easiest reason for tribes to go to war in the situation you describes is probably territorial. If one tribe has access to a particularly good iron deposit, other tribes might fight to acquire that territory, and the other tribe defending it.






          share|improve this answer












          Yes, war is rarely about reproduction.



          The most common historical reasons for war can be grouped into the following categories: Economic Gain, Territorial Gain, Religion, Nationalism, Revenge, Civil War, Revolutionary War, and Defensive (preemptive) War.



          As long as one of these factors is strong enough, there could be wars. The society you describe might consider wives either an Economic or Territorial gain, but that doesn't rule out other, non-reproductive, Economic or Territorial forces.



          The easiest reason for tribes to go to war in the situation you describes is probably territorial. If one tribe has access to a particularly good iron deposit, other tribes might fight to acquire that territory, and the other tribe defending it.







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered 2 hours ago









          Mathaddict

          1,30212




          1,30212




















              up vote
              2
              down vote













              Of course they will. If the tribe has something that others want, they must be able to protect it. And if other tribes have something they need, they could either trade for it, steal it or loot it.



              Fertile land, herds, pastures, hunting grounds, springs, trade routes anything important for tribe livelihood might be something worth fighting for.



              Since hermaphrodites lack expendable young males to fight their wars, individuals in their 30's and 40's will most likely play that role. Since they are still strong enough to handle the physical stress, but their fertility decline makes them less valuable for child bearing.



              Or they could specialize.




              Strapping young girl? Military caste. Go forth, try your best to kill
              or be killed. Take risks. Don't breed, as death in childbirth is the
              worst shame a warrior can know. If you grow old enough to become a man
              then you have an awful lot of experience and can be used to train the
              raw recruits, not to mention stud the next generation of warriors into
              existence.



              Likely to get killed in the first skirmish? Don't worry: There's
              always a need for the working caste. Feel free to breed if you want
              to, but don't expect any special treatment from the other castes.
              You're here to primarily support the other castes, including taking
              care of other people's children if required. If you grow old enough to
              become a man then bully for you.



              Wide hips? Good pedigree? Mother has a history of twins? Breeder
              caste. You get food, protection and your pick of the men. You're
              likely going to die giving birth, but hey, at least you perpetuated
              the species. If you don't die and manage to live long enough to be a
              man then clearly you're good at this whole 'giving birth' thing, and
              the next generation could use some of your genetic material. Go forth
              and multiply.




              Maybe even have warrior tribes, who extract tribute from peasant tribes. Those who refuse to pay are vanquished and sold into slavery. Which is good occupation for tribes who practice warfare as part of their life, for example by herding and hunting.






              share|improve this answer


























                up vote
                2
                down vote













                Of course they will. If the tribe has something that others want, they must be able to protect it. And if other tribes have something they need, they could either trade for it, steal it or loot it.



                Fertile land, herds, pastures, hunting grounds, springs, trade routes anything important for tribe livelihood might be something worth fighting for.



                Since hermaphrodites lack expendable young males to fight their wars, individuals in their 30's and 40's will most likely play that role. Since they are still strong enough to handle the physical stress, but their fertility decline makes them less valuable for child bearing.



                Or they could specialize.




                Strapping young girl? Military caste. Go forth, try your best to kill
                or be killed. Take risks. Don't breed, as death in childbirth is the
                worst shame a warrior can know. If you grow old enough to become a man
                then you have an awful lot of experience and can be used to train the
                raw recruits, not to mention stud the next generation of warriors into
                existence.



                Likely to get killed in the first skirmish? Don't worry: There's
                always a need for the working caste. Feel free to breed if you want
                to, but don't expect any special treatment from the other castes.
                You're here to primarily support the other castes, including taking
                care of other people's children if required. If you grow old enough to
                become a man then bully for you.



                Wide hips? Good pedigree? Mother has a history of twins? Breeder
                caste. You get food, protection and your pick of the men. You're
                likely going to die giving birth, but hey, at least you perpetuated
                the species. If you don't die and manage to live long enough to be a
                man then clearly you're good at this whole 'giving birth' thing, and
                the next generation could use some of your genetic material. Go forth
                and multiply.




                Maybe even have warrior tribes, who extract tribute from peasant tribes. Those who refuse to pay are vanquished and sold into slavery. Which is good occupation for tribes who practice warfare as part of their life, for example by herding and hunting.






                share|improve this answer
























                  up vote
                  2
                  down vote










                  up vote
                  2
                  down vote









                  Of course they will. If the tribe has something that others want, they must be able to protect it. And if other tribes have something they need, they could either trade for it, steal it or loot it.



                  Fertile land, herds, pastures, hunting grounds, springs, trade routes anything important for tribe livelihood might be something worth fighting for.



                  Since hermaphrodites lack expendable young males to fight their wars, individuals in their 30's and 40's will most likely play that role. Since they are still strong enough to handle the physical stress, but their fertility decline makes them less valuable for child bearing.



                  Or they could specialize.




                  Strapping young girl? Military caste. Go forth, try your best to kill
                  or be killed. Take risks. Don't breed, as death in childbirth is the
                  worst shame a warrior can know. If you grow old enough to become a man
                  then you have an awful lot of experience and can be used to train the
                  raw recruits, not to mention stud the next generation of warriors into
                  existence.



                  Likely to get killed in the first skirmish? Don't worry: There's
                  always a need for the working caste. Feel free to breed if you want
                  to, but don't expect any special treatment from the other castes.
                  You're here to primarily support the other castes, including taking
                  care of other people's children if required. If you grow old enough to
                  become a man then bully for you.



                  Wide hips? Good pedigree? Mother has a history of twins? Breeder
                  caste. You get food, protection and your pick of the men. You're
                  likely going to die giving birth, but hey, at least you perpetuated
                  the species. If you don't die and manage to live long enough to be a
                  man then clearly you're good at this whole 'giving birth' thing, and
                  the next generation could use some of your genetic material. Go forth
                  and multiply.




                  Maybe even have warrior tribes, who extract tribute from peasant tribes. Those who refuse to pay are vanquished and sold into slavery. Which is good occupation for tribes who practice warfare as part of their life, for example by herding and hunting.






                  share|improve this answer














                  Of course they will. If the tribe has something that others want, they must be able to protect it. And if other tribes have something they need, they could either trade for it, steal it or loot it.



                  Fertile land, herds, pastures, hunting grounds, springs, trade routes anything important for tribe livelihood might be something worth fighting for.



                  Since hermaphrodites lack expendable young males to fight their wars, individuals in their 30's and 40's will most likely play that role. Since they are still strong enough to handle the physical stress, but their fertility decline makes them less valuable for child bearing.



                  Or they could specialize.




                  Strapping young girl? Military caste. Go forth, try your best to kill
                  or be killed. Take risks. Don't breed, as death in childbirth is the
                  worst shame a warrior can know. If you grow old enough to become a man
                  then you have an awful lot of experience and can be used to train the
                  raw recruits, not to mention stud the next generation of warriors into
                  existence.



                  Likely to get killed in the first skirmish? Don't worry: There's
                  always a need for the working caste. Feel free to breed if you want
                  to, but don't expect any special treatment from the other castes.
                  You're here to primarily support the other castes, including taking
                  care of other people's children if required. If you grow old enough to
                  become a man then bully for you.



                  Wide hips? Good pedigree? Mother has a history of twins? Breeder
                  caste. You get food, protection and your pick of the men. You're
                  likely going to die giving birth, but hey, at least you perpetuated
                  the species. If you don't die and manage to live long enough to be a
                  man then clearly you're good at this whole 'giving birth' thing, and
                  the next generation could use some of your genetic material. Go forth
                  and multiply.




                  Maybe even have warrior tribes, who extract tribute from peasant tribes. Those who refuse to pay are vanquished and sold into slavery. Which is good occupation for tribes who practice warfare as part of their life, for example by herding and hunting.







                  share|improve this answer














                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer








                  edited 11 mins ago

























                  answered 1 hour ago









                  slobodan.blazeski

                  3,84321337




                  3,84321337




















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