Evolution Can't Explain Your Grandma

The video explores the grandmother hypothesis, which suggests menopause evolved to allow women to care for grandchildren, enhancing gene survival. However, evidence from other species, like killer whales and chimpanzees, challenges this idea. Many mammals experience reproductive senescence, spending a significant portion of their lives unable to reproduce. Alternative hypotheses, such as the extended mothering hypothesis, propose that investing in existing offspring is more beneficial. The video concludes that menopause might not have a singular evolutionary reason, and reproductive senescence is common across species.

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