It is Father’s Day here in Ireland. A day to reflect on our own bonds and experiences with that special man in your life that has known you since birth! My own story is a wonderful one, my Dad and I are very close and my life memories are filled with lots of special moments with him.
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| My Dad meeting his 6th grandchild for the first time! |
I have a lot to thank him for…
So I thought today would be a good day to reflect on what a wonderful man he is… and to take a look at the science behind the bond between a father and his children.
A lot has changed in a father’s role since I was born. My Dad was certainly not present at my birth, he was at work and came to see me once he got the call that his first daughter was born! By the time my own children were born things were very different…my husband was not only present at their births but was actively involved in the whole process, he was my “hypnobirthing” partner and helped me stay relatively calm and focused throughout each birth!
My Dad was also not as “hands on” as most men are now… nappy changing, bottle preping and the like were not really part of his repertoire. However there is no denying the strength of the bond he has with all three of his children.
The science behind the bonding process between mother and child is more commonly known and understood but there is a definite and undeniable bond formed between father and child also, and although less studied there are many scientific explanations emerging.
It is now known that expectant fathers may also experience hormonal changes coming up to, during and after the birth of their child. Studies have shown a drop in levels of testosterone and an increase in prolactin and cortisol levels in men during the weeks coming up to the birth. These hormones are more commonly associated with expectant mothers. Prolactin levels are also seen to be higher in fathers than in men with no children, and higher in fathers with young children than with older children.
Studies have also shown an increase in oxytocin levels in fathers after the birth of their child. This is the hormone that is strongly associated with aiding strong bonding between mothers and their babies. Fathers have shown an increase in active play and interaction with their infants after receiving oxytocin.
Research is still ongoing into the reasons for these hormonal changes and more importantly the role they play in forming and strengthening the male parental bond. It is possible they play a role in calming fathers, in increasing their sensitivity to the smell and touch of their young children and in encouraging more play and interaction between father and child. In other words they may help dampen down the aggressive side of the male and bring out his “inner child”!
Regardless of the science and the research behind it, there is sometimes no need to examine and explain the love, care and affection between a father and his children…
….so today I want to say a big HAPPY FATHER’S DAY to my wonderful Dad and a big thanks for all the love, support and encouragement he has always given me! I hope you like my unconventional gift Dad x