Kin-Directed Altruism and Male Androphilia in Thailand: Investigating the Roles of Femininity and Neuroticism

Abstract

The kin selection hypothesis (KSH) proposes that same-sex attracted individuals offset their lowered direct reproduction via kin-directed altruism that increases close genetic relatives’ reproduction, thereby enhancing inclusive fitness. Retrospective research found that childhood concerns for kin’s well-being are elevated among birth-assigned males who are androphilic (i.e., sexually attracted to adult males) and are positively associated with childhood femininity. This pattern is posited to be a developmental precursor of avuncular/materteral tendencies in adulthood. Also, prior research indicates that male androphiles have elevated neuroticism, which is associated positively with attachment but negatively with prosocial behavior. Thus, neuroticism may promote a developmental disposition toward kin-directed altruism while inhibiting such tendencies in adulthood. Associations between femininity, childhood concerns for kin’s well-being, facets of neuroticism, and avuncular/materteral tendencies were examined in Thai individuals assigned male at birth (N = 776), including 315 heterosexual men, 232 gay men, and 229 sao praphet song (transfeminine androphiles). Avuncular/materteral tendencies were elevated among the androphilic groups in comparison with heterosexual men. Path analysis revealed that an anxiety-related facet of neuroticism and childhood femininity had indirect positive effects on avuncular/materteral tendencies through increased childhood concerns for kin’s well-being. Adulthood femininity and emotional stability (which is contra to neuroticism) had direct positive effects on avuncular/materteral tendencies. The findings support the KSH, align with previous literature on developmental precursors for kin-directed altruism, and suggest that neuroticism is relevant to consider when testing this hypothesis.