Human longevity: The grandmother effect

Hawkes, Kristen

Kristen Hawkes is in the Department of Anthropology, University of Utah, 270 S. 1400 E. Stewart 102, Salt Lake City, Utah 84102, USA. e-mail: [email protected]

Nature 428(6979):p 128-129, March 11, 2004.

Why do women live long past the age of child-bearing? Contrary to common wisdom, this phenomenon is not new, and is not due to support for the elderly. Rather, grannies have a lot to offer their grandchildren.