What happens when we look at modern family life through the lens of evolutionary anthropology?
In this episode of Originally Human, I’m joined by Professor Ruth Mace, an evolutionary anthropologist whose work explores human behaviour, family systems, reproduction and cooperation.
Ruth began her career studying animal behaviour and behavioural ecology before turning to humans. Much of her research asks a fascinating question: can evolutionary models help us understand why people make the decisions they do about family, children and social life?
And, importantly, what happens when the predictions of those models don't fit modern human behaviour?
In this episode, we explore:
Why humans need help raising children — Ruth explains the importance of alloparenting: care provided by people other than the child's mother.
The role of grandparents — including the evolutionary puzzle of menopause and the evidence that grandparents can improve children's survival, nutrition and wellbeing.
Why the grandmother hypothesis isn't quite as simple as it sounds — and why Ruth thinks the evidence is compelling but still comes with important caveats.
Why humans cooperate — from childcare and food sharing to reputation, reciprocity and helping within communities.
Why there isn't one “natural” way to live — evolutionary anthropology is often misunderstood as telling us what humans should do. Ruth explains why evolutionary models are really about predicting variation and testing hypotheses.
The evolutionary puzzle of modern fertility — why fertility has fallen so dramatically, and why resources, education, relationships and the rising costs of parenthood may all be part of the story.
Has modern parenting become too intensive? Ruth discusses increasing competition around education and parenting, and whether we may sometimes be investing more in children than is actually necessary.
Children and independence — why giving children opportunities to explore, socialise and make their own mistakes may matter.
Intergenerational social life — what might be lost when adults and children increasingly live, learn and socialise separately.
Modern life and evolutionary mismatch — including the ways education, careers, mobility and nuclear-family living have changed the social environment in which we raise children.
Why evolution doesn't give us a parenting manual — and why Ruth is cautious about making moral recommendations based on evolutionary arguments.
About Ruth Mace
Professor Ruth Mace is an evolutionary anthropologist whose research focuses on human behavioural ecology, demography, reproduction, family systems and cooperation. She has conducted extensive field research, including among pastoralist communities in Kenya, and is Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology at University College London.
Ruth is also currently writing a book exploring these themes — so watch this space!
Further reading
Ruth mentions the work of evolutionary anthropologist Sarah Blaffer Hrdy, including:
Mothers and Others
Father Time
You can also find more about Ruth and her research through her academic website.
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