Research examine - Offspring from elderly mothers tend to excel in mathematics more frequently.
A current investigation conducted by the Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB) in Wiesbaden and the University of Oldenburg has revealed that kids born to older mothers tend to display superior skills in mathematics and improved social competence.
Data from the National Education Panel – a nationwide long-term project conducted between 2015 and 2021, involving around 2,300 children – was analysed to uncover the connection between later motherhood and children's progression. The statistical data reveals that women are getting older when they start having children: "In Germany, the average age was 24.5 years in 1990, but it has now grown to 30.8 years (by 2022)."
Children born to moms under 30 at the time of delivery typically exhibited consistently low mathematics test results, as per the BiB. Conversely, sons and daughters of older ladies displayed average to marginally better mathematical competence. A similar pattern was observed for the "social-emotional behaviour of children," albeit with less intensity.
An Explanatory Approach
Coinvestigator Susanne Schmid of the University of Oldenburg shed light on the reasoning behind this connection: "The early years of a child's life are largely influenced by the learning atmosphere they experience in their home." One possible explanation as presented by BiB is that early motherhood often coincides with lower levels of education and income: "When women have their first kid later in life, they've earned higher degrees and accrued more job experience. This creates a more favourable educational environment for the child."
Strangely, the study doesn't promote postponing motherhood, as pregnancies after the age of 36 are considered riskier for the mother's health. Instead, it suggests assisting younger women. Co-investigator Gundula Zoch of the University of Oldenburg noted, for instance, that dependable childcare options could empower young mothers to "successfully complete their schooling or training and find good job opportunities."
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The Federal Institute for Population Research in Wiesbaden, Germany, collaborated with the University of Oldenburg to study this trend. This research found that children of older mothers, on average, showed better performance in mathematics. The National Education Panel, a comprehensive study conducted between 2015 and 2021, revealed that the average age of mothers at childbirth has increased from 24.5 years in 1990 to 30.8 years in 2022 in Germany. Interestingly, schools in the state of Hesse offer programs to support younger mothers in their education and career. Additionally, the University of Oldenburg suggests that reliable childcare options can help younger women complete their studies and secure good job opportunities.
Statistics further show that children of mothers under 30 tend to have lower mathematics scores, while older mothers' offspring performs average to slightly better in math. Similar trends were observed in the social-emotional behavior of children, albeit with less intensity. This relationship might be due to the learning environment at home, which could be more conducive when mothers have higher levels of education and income. Notably, the study does not advocate for postponing motherhood beyond 36, as it might pose health risks for the mother.
This study emphasizes the importance of supporting younger women in their educational and professional endeavors to improve the learning environment at home, regardless of age. This, in turn, could positively impact the academic performance of their children, especially in the areas of mathematics and social competence.
