Dad Brain: The New Science of Fatherhood and How It Shapes Men’s Lives

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. (June)