Your mother’s goat

Sooner or later you will fall out with your parents

There is a concept in evolutionary biology called parent-offspring conflict.

Roughly summarised it is the tension between keeping resources or giving them to offspring.

At some point, adult survival is a better genetic option than caring for the progeny and so the parent puts their foot down and withdraws support.

This can be a shock to a youngster who has been told his mother’s goat is no longer available to provide him with creamy goodness. Or the lion cub who gets a plate-sized paw to the snout and two-inch canines to a haunch.

It just that time for provisioning has ended and Moms genes are better served caring for the next generation.

Paul Sorol

Hi, I'm Paul and I'm a chronicler.

I know it is a brave admission that is all thanks to the sayings and aphorisms of the Confused One. Bringing those slippery little suckers to you gives my life meaning.

Smile well, Paul

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