If we are natural cooperative breeders—a species in which alloparents are part of the fabric of families—it’s unreasonable to expect women to manage without any help. For Hrdy, a feminist, this line of research also has obvious political implications. It reinforces why lawmakers shouldn’t outlaw abortion and force women to have babies they feel they cannot raise or do not want. It also highlights how important it is that governments provide better welfare and child care for mothers, especially those who don’t have support at home.
