Alloparenting
Alloparenting is a term for any form of parental care provided by an individual towards young that are not its own direct offspring. These are often called "non-descendant" young,[1] even though grandchildren can be among them. Among humans, alloparenting is often performed by a child's grandparents and older siblings. Individuals providing this care are called by the neutral term "alloparent" (or "helper").
Alloparental care encapsulates a diverse range of parenting systems across a range of animal groups and social structures. The alloparent–young relationship can be mutualistic or parasitic, and between or within species. Cooperative breeding, joint brood care, reciprocal allonursing, brood parasitism and cuckoldry represent situations in which alloparenting plays a role.
This form of parenting is often seen among humans. However, it is not as popular among other species. Alloparenting is rare among classes of animals such as birds and mammals, with only about 3% of mammals exhibiting this parenting style, but this does not mean it does not occur. In species that alloparent, it has been seen that offspring grow at faster rates and are often weaned earlier.
In the Absence of Men
The alloparenting hypothesis proposes that women will pair-bond in the absence of men to increase the chances of survival of their children.[1]
The hypothesis raises the possibility that all, or almost all, women are effectively bisexual rather than being heterosexual or homosexual.
The fact that bisexual women are more likely to be in relationships with men than women supports the allparenting hypothesis.