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Science/nature/environment

Grandmothering leads to greater postmenopausal longevity

(19 Posts)
Jodi Mon 10-Dec-12 23:01:03

Doesn't exactly trip off the tongue greatnan does it? Lacks the power of alliteration.
anno grin

JessM Mon 10-Dec-12 19:46:23

Not to mention the handbag with a brick inside?

Ana Mon 10-Dec-12 19:32:42

Needles! grin

gracesmum Mon 10-Dec-12 19:18:28

I'm not nit picking , approve of the general gist of the sentiment - just make sure Grannies are appreciated OK? (Or I'll be after you with my knitting!grin

Nonu Mon 10-Dec-12 19:15:11

Think Mishap was quoting study done at U.O.U .

No particular axe to grind, but what do i know ??????

smile

Ana Mon 10-Dec-12 18:44:37

It's just that, taken out of context, the quote you gave did sound rather patronising and stereotypical, Mishap, and I wasn't sure what message your post was expressing. smile

Mishap Mon 10-Dec-12 18:41:11

Afraid I could not provide a link as Focus mag don't have that facility - not that I could find anyway. Sorry about that.

annodomini Mon 10-Dec-12 18:40:09

I appear to have shrunk longitudinally and expanded latitudinally. wink

Greatnan Mon 10-Dec-12 18:20:54

It is true that most people shrink with age - I have lost almost two inches in height. I am certainly old, as well, although fit and active. But am I a lady....I doubt it. I think I must describe myself as 'a bit smaller, bit older,woman'.

JessM Mon 10-Dec-12 18:15:20

Killer whales also have a menopause grin and their adult sons much more likely to fall apart at the seams if mother dies. grin
But little old ladies? Lazy journalist trotting out sexist, agist cliches yet again.

Greatnan Mon 10-Dec-12 18:03:27

I love watching the David Attenborough DVDs about wild life and I am always fascinated by the ways that animals have evolved to help them bring up young successfully. I especially like the hen birds that are 'unfaithful' to their supposed life partner, so that they have two cocks who both think they have fathered the chicks, and help to feed them. Now, why didn't I think of that?
There are also homosexual birds where the 'gay' son stays with his mother and helps to rear subsequent broods.

Bags Mon 10-Dec-12 17:49:03

It has long been known that one of the reasons for human success is the female menopause (non-fertile women being available to help the fertile ones). This 'study' is just another in a long series on the subject.

Greatnan Mon 10-Dec-12 17:42:02

Blimey, I should live forever then!

jeni Mon 10-Dec-12 17:38:55

Hmph!

Ana Mon 10-Dec-12 17:05:11

Well, as you didn't provide a link to the article, Mishap, we couldn't be expected to know that!

Mishap Mon 10-Dec-12 17:00:55

I think that you will find that the "little old ladies" bit is tongue in cheek, as the article has just detailed how vital granmothers are in evolutionary terms.

CHEELU Mon 10-Dec-12 16:58:40

little old ladies rock!!!!

Ana Mon 10-Dec-12 16:54:11

shock! Patronising, or what?

Mishap Mon 10-Dec-12 16:44:35

This is the conclusion of a study at the University of Utah, as reported in Jan 2013 Focus magazine.

The article ends:"It seems, therefore, that the roots of humanity lie with the human tendency to produce little old ladies. So, if you did forget to buy a seasonal gift for grandma, make sure you remember her birthday, okay?"