Not to mention that beyond a given age, your reproductive days are done for good (thank goodness for that.)
Though, tbf, I thought I read recently where particularly old sperm isn't that great an idea, either, but that would be in men over 50 or 60.
And the time limit isn't even that unique to humans, any responsible breeder knows you don't start 'em too young, and you shouldn't keep on past a certain age (even if the species doesn't enjoy menopause. I think some? cetaceans do, though.)
Part of the reason we stopped marrying off 12 year olds, is that first babies born to under-16 moms tend to die.
Children born to older people of either gender isn't always a great idea anyway, because the parents won't be able to keep up with them at all, and possibly die before the child is able to take care of itself well enough.
Not to mention that beyond a given age, your reproductive days are done for good (thank goodness for that.)
Though, tbf, I thought I read recently where particularly old sperm isn't that great an idea, either, but that would be in men over 50 or 60.
And the time limit isn't even that unique to humans, any responsible breeder knows you don't start 'em too young, and you shouldn't keep on past a certain age (even if the species doesn't enjoy menopause. I think some? cetaceans do, though.)
Part of the reason we stopped marrying off 12 year olds, is that first babies born to under-16 moms tend to die.
Children born to older people of either gender isn't always a great idea anyway, because the parents won't be able to keep up with them at all, and possibly die before the child is able to take care of itself well enough.