The more intelligent the woman, the less likely she is to become a mother, a new study has found.
Satoshi Kanazawa, a researcher from the London School of Economics, found that maternal urges drop 25 percent for every 15 extra IQ points.
The study, which is discussed in his book 'The Intelligence Paradox,' cites data from UK's National Child Development Study with added economic and education information.
According to Kanazawa, "if any value is truly unnatural, if there is one thing that humans (and all other species in nature) are decisively not designed for, it is voluntary childlessness," the New York Daily News reported
In the book, he goes on to say in a chapter called "Why Intelligent People Are the Ultimate Losers in Life" that all living organisms are "evolutionarily designed to reproduce" and that "reproductive success is the ultimate end of all biological existence."
According to the Guardian, Kanazawa doesn't give a reason why this is a case, and it's not clear why some of these "loser" women elect to do something as "unnatural" as not having children.
However, it is becoming more common, at least in the United States. According to a Pew Research report from 2010, one in five American women did not have children when her biological clock stopped ticking, compared to one in 10 in the 1970s.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors


Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share


Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor


Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements


Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
