Are Grandmothers Evolution’s Secret Weapon?
Understanding The Grandmother Hypothesis
Not every woman is pleased to find out that they will soon be a grandmother. On one level it may be a very happy family occassion, but it does mark the beginning of a new phase of life and brings with it a new title of grandmother that may take some getting usd to.
The New York Times has an interesting article on the contribution of older women to society. Known as the Grandmother Hypothesis, the basic premise is that as women go through menopause and end the reproductive stage of their lives, they are able to focus their energies on helping their children raise their children. By providing this extra level of assistance, a grandmother helps to improve her grandchildren’s chance of survival.
Whether the theory proves to be correct or not, it provides an interesting perspective for post menopausal women looking for direction and purpose in their lives.
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