Being a father is always a mysterious calling since many males, and females, believe that fathers are not biologically designed for their role. Rather, they believe that males are created in order to spread the human race by being with multiple short-term partners throughout their lives. However, this borders with nonsense since, if we are to take history as a reference, even some ancient societies, such as the Amazon Indians, had families with two or three fathers. Contrary to popular belief, thus, fathers are crucial parts of any family. Also, believe it or not, you become a father through changes in your brain even before your baby is born.
The Brain of the Father
When the pregnancy period of the partner is almost over, the male's testosterone levels drop and males experience a rise in prolactin, a hormone related to parenting in many living beings. Furthermore, another hormone increases in production during the time a father spends with his child, oxytocin, making men better in the whole parenting business. In fact, oxytocin increase takes place when fathers spend time interacting and playing with their children.
Yet, another question reaches the surface here. Basically, we are bound to ask ourselves whether this rise in hormones is truly beneficial for the babies as well.
The Father and His Child
Numerous tests were conducted in order to see whether parenting hormones really have an effect on one's role of being a good dad. Amazingly, people who were tested 4 months after their baby was born, showed more balanced, but still increased, levels of the hormones mentioned above, while playing and spending time with their children. Also, individuals who were diagnosed with this “change” proved to be better fathers, being responsive, supportive, caring and communicative.
Moreover, these “superdads” were coping better with their babies' cries. Basically, less testosterone – more sympathy towards the child and more support during the times of tears. Additionally, prolactin helped fathers realize that something is wrong with the child better, reacting timely and mending the troublesome situations.
Finally, dads who have been on the job for quite some time, have even higher levels of prolactin than the rookies who are new in this wonderful experience.
The roles of an alpha wolf was always to take care of the pack, being his family. Yet, we humans seem to have misinterpreted this. So, fathers and father-to-be, open your eyes and devote yourself to this enjoyable and wonderful experience larger than life itself.
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