Seems that menopause is a puzzle. Why have it as part of women's lives? It seems to be rare in the animal kingdom. There could be many reasons but while thinking about the question, researchers have found that grandmothers contribute to the health and well-being of grandkids, mothers and families. Of course, we grandfathers are fonts of wisdom, too, but we don't seem to have the range of strengths and possible contributions grandmothers have. Actual meals as well as tips on cooking and menus, sewing and fashion ideas, plants, working with and interpreting physicians and sickness indicators, sympathizing with teachers, patience with stages of development, financial tips -- the list of their areas of contributions is quite long.
We grandfathers are valuable for understanding and interpreting the male world but we tend to be loners while grandmothers really extend themselves for others. I know a grandfather who has virtually rebuilt a couple of houses and that is a real achievement for his children and grandchildren. Maybe we should extend the grandmother hypothesis to grandparent hypothesis. Since more of us have great-grandkids that are maturing and have a chance to know their great-grandparents and also benefit from interaction with them, and since more great-grandparents are likely to be sufficiently active, wealthy and youthful, there is another generation that can be counted in the family.
As the world moves to a knowledge-based way of life and the relevant knowledge includes self-understanding and insight into behavior and motivation of others, the perspectives of older people may be more valuable than ever. It's true that many grandparents don't know that much about ripping songs onto a CD or into an mp3 file but it is also true that they are less addicted to multiple gadgets in their lives and better able to describe life in different terms than used in the seductive ads.
