Women frequently care for multiple highly dependent children, who require significant care. As a result, they receive extensive support from non-maternal caregivers – i.e. allomothers. Research on this support has typically made assumptions about who are important caregivers and what does, and does not, count as support. These assumptions often stem from western models of the ‘nuclear family’ and ‘expert led’ childcare and can mean we overlook some important dimensions of social support. This talk by Abbey Page explores the evidence from two diverse populations, the Agta hunter-gatherers from the Philippines and UK mothers
