apj0731

It reminds me of how my mom found out that my brother had Down Syndrome. A doctor (not her OB/GYN) walked in after the baby was moved to the nursery and told her that "your baby has a chromosomal disorder" and then walked out. This was 1988 and special needs kids were still being institutionalized. When her OB/GYN found out he lost his mind and chased that doctor down.

There are HUGE differences. Chimpanzees are a male dominated species and conflict is dealt with through aggression and mediation.

Bonobos are female dominated and deal with conflict through sex and mediation.

The confusion with chimp and bonobo sexual behavior is that they both engage in promiscuous sexual behavior which just means that anyone can technically mate with anyone. In some chimp groups the alpha male will control who mates with who.

"Cultures" differ from chimp group to chimp group so it really just depends who and where you are looking. There are so few bonobos that the culture doesn't vary much.

Bonobos are very gentle though. I met a woman that has been working with them for about 25 years and she says it is very rare to see all out aggression. They do hunt though, but like chimps it doesn't occur often.

Kissing and hugging their children. Tickle games.

Infant and juvenile behavior is VERY similar. Jonathan, a 16 year old male acts like a 16 year old male. He loves teenage girls. He shows off and swaggers.

Mother/Daughter

Oh, they invite me all the time so I definitely understand. Jonathan, a 16 male is my best friend, When I get to their area in the morning he spends the first couple hours just sitting with me. If I ignore him he gets pissed and blows me off.

Nori, at the time 2 years old, only 2 months older than my daughter, did a lot of the same goofy things like walking around with a blanket over her head. Blanket

I have also seen tickling games between mother and daughter. Tickle