“It takes a village” is a widespread saying for a reason. Scientists say that humans evolved to raise children with many parental figures. If you come from a big family, you probably know what I’m talking about when it comes to aunts, uncles, older siblings, and grandparents all coming together to help out with the kids.
In 1975, socio-biologist Edward Wilson coined the term “alloparenting” to describe the practice of individuals other than a mother or father caring for an offspring. Since then, other researchers have looked into it as well.
Here are the details — just take what you need for your own life. After all, every family is different!
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