Wife assists young men (6)
I believe the answer is:
whelps
'young men' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both animals as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'wife assists' is the wordplay.
'wife' becomes 'w' (abbreviation).
'assists' becomes 'helps' ('help' can be a synonym of 'assist').
'w'+'helps'='WHELPS'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for whelps that I've seen before include "Young of various canines" , "Young dogs or pups" , "Young wolves or dogs" , "Gives birth" , "puppies" .)