Final answer:
Once weaned, an individual becomes an independent feeder, transitioning from total reliance on maternal care to self-sufficiency. This is a natural progression in the life course of humans and other mammals.
Step-by-step explanation:
When you are weaned, you lose dependency on a mother for nutrition. You become an independent feeder. Through the phases of the life course, dependence and independence levels change, reflecting the natural progression from being completely reliant on maternal care to being self-sufficient. For instance, human babies are entirely dependent on their caregivers, but as they grow, they gain new abilities that lead them towards independence. A similar pattern is seen in other mammals, such as kangaroos, which are extremely dependent on their mother's milk and protection when they are born. Over time, these creatures develop and become independent of their mother's care for survival.