Dad Brain
The New Science of Fatherhood and How It Shapes Men's Lives
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- 139,00 kr
Publisher Description
A groundbreaking exploration of the science and significance of fatherhood that shows great dads are made, not born
Over the last decade, we’ve learned more about the transformative power of parenthood—biologically, psychologically, and socially—than ever before. But while the experience of motherhood has attracted well-deserved attention, fatherhood has remained overlooked and, often, misunderstood.
Now, in Dad Brain, field-leading psychologist Darby Saxbe, PhD, explains how becoming a father changes men, from their bodies and brain architecture to their hormones and sense of purpose. Inspired by her relationship with her dad, Saxbe has studied fathers and families for over twenty years. In her first book, she takes readers behind the scenes of her new research and around the world, from hunter-gatherers in the Congo to contemporary suburban dads, and into her pioneering studies of how parenthood shapes men’s brains and lives.
Readers may be surprised to learn that, in addition to altering a dad’s hormones and health (yes, men experience postpartum depression, and “dad bod” is real), parenthood can also benefit men. Dads who spend time with their kids sharpen their paternal instincts and even show more youthful brains in later life. Dads’ unique approach to play makes kids more resilient, and fathers bring new insights to workplaces and build better societies. Ultimately, fatherhood can help men discover a richer, more connected, and more meaningful life.
For fans of science-based storytelling that is also irreverent, funny, and personal, Dad Brain offers an illuminating, empowering, and optimistic new understanding of fatherhood that will become a must-read for every parent.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Psychologist Saxbe debuts with a compassionate examination of how fatherhood changes men's minds and bodies. Noting that active fathers are rare in the animal kingdom, where the males of only 5% to 10% of mammal species take part in caring for their young, Saxbe theorizes that involved dads are a crucial part of humanity's success. New fathers can experience hormonal shifts leading to perinatal depression, a phenomenon that, though it's lesser-known than women's postpartum depression, is equally important to treat, according to the author. In addition to affecting men's quality of life, depression and anxiety during their infant's early days can impair bonding and children's long-term well-being. Fatherhood impacts physical health, too: the "dad bod" can be traced to sleep disruptions, hormonal shifts, and mood changes. But fatherhood also leads to positive changes. For instance, when fathers regularly engage in physical play, their children are more likely to be confident and curious and to follow rules. The role of fatherhood has shifted in recent decades, meaning many of today's dads may not have grown up with healthy models, Saxbe writes, but men who choose to challenge ingrained cultural stereotypes surrounding masculinity and care work are often rewarded with more meaningful lives. Smart and uplifting, this is a powerful resource for dads and dads-to-be.
