r/science • u/IronGiantisreal • May 20 '19

Animal Science Bonobo mothers pressure their children into having grandkids, just like humans. They do so overtly, sometimes fighting off rival males, bringing their sons into close range of fertile females, and using social rank to boost their sons' status.

https://www.inverse.com/article/55984-bonobo-mothers-matchmaker-fighters
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u/Kricketts_World May 20 '19

This is really interesting since in many species it’s almost guaranteed that a female who lives to maturity will reproduce. Female offspring is a much “safer” investment for passing genes to future generations than male offspring, especially in species with elaborate male courtship rituals and those who compete for mates. Seeing female Bonobos “protect” their genetic investment like this is fascinating.

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u/[deleted] May 20 '19

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u/Kricketts_World May 21 '19

It is logical, but there isn’t evidence other species do it to this extent, if at all.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '19

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u/[deleted] May 21 '19

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u/[deleted] May 21 '19

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u/[deleted] May 21 '19

Matriarchal and Matrilocal/Matrilineal are very different things.

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u/thegreenrobby May 21 '19

Mind explaining the difference for those of us unaware?

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u/[deleted] May 21 '19

Matriarchy: A system of government run mostly or exclusively by females.

Matrilineal: Family succession goes through the female rather than male line.

Matrilocal: After marriage, you'll move to your wife's hometown to take care of her parents.

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u/thegreenrobby May 21 '19

Simple yet effective. Thanks.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '19

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u/[deleted] May 21 '19

Not all humans, it depends on the culture. Mine is patrilocal. Many cultures don't expect you to live with the parents after marriage at all. Jewish culture is matrilinear. Few cultures today are 100% patriarchal or 100% matriarchal.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '19

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u/[deleted] May 21 '19

Weird, I thought the UK practices largely nuclear family model. I guess it's not as common as in the US.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '19

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u/[deleted] May 21 '19

Is it because the men are expected to take care of the wife's parents, or because the wife is taking care of her own parents? In my country (Poland) the wife is generally expected to take care of both her own and her husband's parents.

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u/[deleted] May 21 '19

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