Does Family Size Affect Our Brainpower as We Age?

Published on May 12, 2022

Imagine if maintaining a large family was like trying to juggle too many balls in the air. According to a recent study, having three or more children, as opposed to just two, may have a negative impact on our cognitive abilities later in life. It’s like spreading ourselves too thin, with each additional child increasing the demands on our mental resources. The study also found that this effect was particularly pronounced in Northern Europe, where a higher number of children results in decreased financial resources without necessarily improving social support. This suggests that it’s not just the number of children that matters, but also the societal and economic context in which they are raised.

These findings provide valuable insight into the relationship between family size and cognitive functioning in our golden years. They prompt us to consider how our reproductive choices may impact our mental well-being as we age. Exploring the underlying research can shed further light on this connection and perhaps even offer guidance on how to maintain optimal brain health throughout our lives.

A new study found that having three or more versus two children has a negative effect on late-life cognition. The results further indicated that this effect was strongest in Northern Europe, where higher fertility decreases financial resources but does not improve social resources in this region.

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