The females of only three species are know to go through menopause, pilot whales, orcas, and humans.The females of only three species are know to go through menopause, pilot whales, orcas, and humans.
— John Slaughter, Esq. (@JSlaughterEsq) June 30, 2025
The purpose of this is so that older females can contribute to the survival of their kin through leadership, knowledge, or resource sharing.
The evolution of human society was… pic.twitter.com/WAvWRjXtP7
The purpose of this is so that older females can contribute to the survival of their kin through leadership, knowledge, or resource sharing.
The evolution of human society was facilitated in part by grandmothers.
They improved child survival rates by helping feed, protect, and care for grandchildren.
This allowed younger mothers to have shorter gaps between births, since grandmothers helped with childcare and provisioning.
And this strengthened multi-generational cooperation.
This meant more stable family units, better nourished and protected children, and greater group survival.
The fact that we have reached a point where the older generations don’t feel the need to provide care for their grandchildren is another example of the rejection of unchosen bonds and an embrace of the spirit of rebellion.
