Kristen Hawkes

Kristen Hawkes, PhD, is an anthropologist known for her groundbreaking research on human evolution and the Grandmother Hypothesis, drawn from studies of hunter-gatherer societies. In this discussion, she reveals how menopause plays a crucial evolutionary role, allowing grandmothers to enhance their descendants' survival by providing care and resources. The podcast explores the vital contributions of these women in early human societies, revealing how their support shaped social structures and human traits, including increased brain size and social complexity.