Northwestern University Anthropologists released a new study that finds a significant drop in testosterone levels in new dads that might suggest that men may be wired to nurture. Well, let’s be excited that this new research study is on the wave of new and expectant dad studies that keep popping up – meaning, research experts are beginning to be genuinely interested in addressing more mysteries of the other parent – dad.
MSNBC’s Brian Alexander published an article analyzing the results of this new study in addition to having a book he is co-writing with Larry Young of Emory University who studies the neuroscience of social bonding.
“There is evidence in several monogamous animal species that testosterone concentrations decrease once males become dads,” explained Larry Young of Emory University… While it’s not proven, “Many studies in mammals question whether the drop in T has a causal role,” Young explained. “The most likely relationship is that the experience of being a father, interacting with and caring for offspring, simply suppresses the secretion of testosterone. This may shift the emotionality of the father toward a more nurturing state of mind.”
Disclosure: MSNBC’s Brian Alexander included the NYC Dads Group in the article. I was asked by Alexander if I felt that when I became a dad, did life become more “calm” for me? Personally, aside from having my baby napping across my chest, with my new found responsibility of being a parent which I absolutely love, I did not find anything calming about it. In fact, I believe parenting has made me the opposite of calm – I worry more, stress more, am less spontaneous, and lose my temper more easily.
Staying at home with my daughter has given me ED, T levels of 250 and estrogen of 58. I’m like an old woman, I used to be like a boxer. I’m still athletic , just limp.
I am the furthest thing from calm nowadays… anything the boys do sets me off. Not stressed or worried, trying to fix it.