Older mothers raise happier families

  • Experts monitored 4,741 mothers for Danish Longitudinal Survey of Children
  • Found older women were deemed less likely to scold or punish their offspring 
  • In turn, the youngsters had fewer behavioral, social and emotional problems

By

James Draper For Mailonline


Published:
10:19 EDT, 22 March 2017

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Updated:
13:59 EDT, 22 March 2017

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Women are often urged to have babies while they’re young.

But postponing the decision to start a family may actually be beneficial in the long run – especially for their off-spring. 

New research from Denmark suggests that older mothers are more likely to raise well-adjusted children and be less exasperated by the process.  

Age appropriate: Having children later in life could contribute to their general adjustment 
Age appropriate: Having children later in life could contribute to their general adjustment 

Age appropriate: Having children later in life could contribute to their general adjustment 

Experts at Aarhus University monitored 4,741 mothers who were part of the Danish Longitudinal Survey of Children. 

Their children were repeatedly assessed at ages 7, 11 and 15. 

Once the data was processed, the mothers were deemed less likely to scold their children, who were in turn deemed to have fewer behavioral, social, and emotional problems.

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The results, which were published in the European Journal of Developmental Psychology, could partly be explained by the fact older women are generally more solvent and self-assured. 

‘We know that people become more mentally flexible with age, are more tolerant of other people and thrive better emotionally themselves,’ says Professor Dion Sommer from Aarhus BSS, who is one of the researchers behind the result.

‘That’s why psychological maturity may explain why older mothers do not scold and physically discipline their children as much.

Experts at Aarhus University monitored 4,741 mothers who were part of the Danish Longitudinal Survey of Children
Experts at Aarhus University monitored 4,741 mothers who were part of the Danish Longitudinal Survey of Children

Experts at Aarhus University monitored 4,741 mothers who were part of the Danish Longitudinal Survey of Children

‘This style of parenting can thereby contribute to a positive psychosocial environment which affects the children’s upbringing,’ he concludes. 

The research comes just months after the American Geriatrics Society published a report which said having a baby later in life can boost your brainpower. 

Researchers tested 830 middle-aged women to find the connection between a later baby and cognitive ability.

The reason is believed to be the surge of hormones which flood the body in pregnancy, which have been found to affect the brain’s chemistry and function.

These brain changes from having a child are believed by some experts to last a lifetime, and it may be that having experienced them more recently is better 

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