News

12th March 2004

Grannies have a 'point'

A new study has found that there is actually a scientific point to grandmothers!

Female humans are the only species across the animal kingdom that live beyond their childbearing years and researchers at the University of Sheffield and Turku in Finland have now solved the mystery of why women live so long after their reproductive years have ceased.

More importantly, the researchers, headed by Dr Virpi Lummaa, also claim that the declining role of grandmothers in childrearing is one factor among many that has led to the birth rate falling in modern societies.

The research was based around the family history of almost 3000 women in Finland and Canada during the 18th and 19th centuries. At this time traditional family structure was intact and the evidence from the study strongly supports the idea that grannies can ensure the success of their own family and the continuing of their own genes by helping their children to bring up grandchildren.

They found that the longer they lived after their reproductive years, the more successful their children's reproductive years would be.

Dr Lummaa said: "Women gained, on average, two extra grandchildren for every 10 years that they lived past their reproductive life."

These findings support the 'grandmother hypothesis' which says that older women are better helping raise their grandchildren rather than reproducing more children themselves. It also backs the findings that grandmothers are more likely to die when their own children reach the menopause.

• How much involvement does your mother have with your children? Air your views in Your Shout
• See the Advantages and disadvantages of having a family member care for your child