A new study found that mothers limit their partner's involvement in child-rearing when they perceive a less stable relationship or lower confidence in parenting. Mothers who are perfectionists or anxious/depressed also tend to restrict fathers' involvement.
Research suggests that fathers who read to their infants with autism and take active roles in caregiving activities can reduce mothers' depression and stress. The study found that when fathers engage in literacy and responsive caregiving activities, mothers report fewer depressive symptoms and improved well-being.
A study found that low-income noncustodial fathers spend an average of $60 a month on in-kind provisions, while those paying formal child support spend about $38 a month. The most disadvantaged dads tend to give a higher proportion of their support through gifts.
A new study by the University of Warwick has found no evidence of discrimination against fathers in English and Welsh family courts. The research, funded by the Nuffield Foundation, reviewed over 200 case files from 2011 and concluded that contact applications by fathers were successful, with a similar success rate to mothers.
In a study of mountain gorillas, researchers found that females avoid mating with their fathers to curb inbreeding. On average, seven out of ten offspring in groups with multiple males are sired by the dominant male, but none of his daughters' offspring
Researchers found that fathers tend to speak in a more adult-like tone, whereas mothers use higher pitches and varied pitch ranges when interacting with their young children. This study suggests that fathers may be acting as a link to the outside world by helping children deal with unfamiliar speech patterns.
A new study found that when highly educated, dual-career couples have their first child, women add significantly more daily housework and childcare responsibilities than men. Before the baby was born, both spouses thought their workloads would increase equally, but detailed time diaries showed a stark contrast.
A recent study published by the British Psychological Society found that children in families where fathers feel unsupported by their partners exhibit more troublesome behavior. In contrast, mothers' perceptions of support from their partners do not seem to impact their child's behavior.
A new study by Kevin Shafer and Garrett T. Pace found that having multiple parental roles is negatively associated with psychological well-being for both men and women. Childlessness is more negative for women, while specific role combinations affect mothers and fathers differently.
A new University of Michigan study found that expectant fathers experience significant hormonal changes, including declines in testosterone and estradiol, even before their babies are born. These changes may be linked to psychological and physical transformations as men prepare to become fathers.
TGen researchers developed a new test that leverages the unique genetic difference between men and women to track down neurological disorders in young girls. By analyzing DNA sequences, they were able to identify a previously unrecognized disorder in a pre-teen girl and provide more accurate diagnosis for families.
A study found that a sugary diet before mating triggers obesity in offspring, while certain gene networks predict susceptibility to weight gain. The researchers also identified similar mechanisms in humans and mice.
Research reveals that sons of fathers with criminal records have lower cognitive abilities, but the link is explained by genetic factors shared between father and son. The study suggests that having a father with antisocial behavior may not directly affect a child's cognitive development.
Researchers found that fathers' positive engagement increased as their intuitive parenting increased, but only when mothers had shown lower levels of intuitive parenting. The study involved highly educated, dual-earner couples and few in which the mother would be staying at home full-time.
A recent survey conducted by C.S. Mott Children's Hospital found that mothers are more likely than fathers to read nutrition labels when considering food and drink purchases. Nearly half of mothers report checking the labels always or very often for added/total sugars.
A study of over 13,000 men found that non-allergic asthma was significantly more common in children whose fathers smoked before conception. The risk of asthma increased with the duration and age of paternal smoking.
A University of Cincinnati study explores how adult men perceive the relationship between appearance, identity, and culture through dressing. The research finds that many men were socialized into respectable and professional dress norms by their fathers, with some linking less formal dress to blue-collar status.
A new study reveals that cultural expectations of parenting and social pressures on new parents, particularly fathers, can contribute to mental health issues such as anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. The research highlights the need for improved screening and social policies to address these challenges.
Distracted teen driving is a significant concern, with parents playing a direct role in the problem. According to a new study, more than half of teens talk on cellphones with their parents while driving, despite warnings about the hazards of distracted driving.
A study found that women who identify with their profession work more hours and spend less time with children, but have a more balanced childcare split. In contrast, men's paternal identity has no impact on childcare time or duties taken by mothers.
A study published in Science found that father's age has a stronger impact on mutation rates in chimpanzees compared to humans, with 90% of new mutations originating from fathers.
A recent study by San Francisco State University's Jeff Cookston found that adolescents receiving a reason for their father's behavior or a better understanding of who is at fault feel better about themselves and dad. This, in turn, is linked to a lower risk of depression for youth.
A new study suggests that fathers' involvement in household chores plays a significant role in shaping their daughters' career goals. Girls growing up in households where domestic duties are shared more equitably are more likely to have broader career ambitions.
Scientists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have reported a major breakthrough in understanding the molecular basis for Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), a disease that involves defects in parental imprinting. The researchers created a model for PWS by reprogramming skin cells from patients into embryonic-like cells, showing that pater...
A study reveals that military fathers returning from combat deployment struggle to reconnect with their young children, who may not remember them. The researchers emphasize the need for support and resources to help these families rebuild their relationships.
Researchers found that mothers earning more than fathers do not increase the risk of relationship break-up, even in cases where they are the sole earners. In fact, in some instances, couples with higher-earning mothers were more stable, particularly during early childcare years.
A recent study by University of California, Irvine sociologist Kristin Turney and Yale University's Christopher Wildeman found that the incarceration of nonresident fathers does not have a detrimental effect on their parenting. When fathers were not living with their children prior to incarceration, their time behind bars had no signif...
A McGill study suggests that a father's diet before conception plays a crucial role in the health of their offspring. The research found that paternal folate levels may be as important as those of the mother, with potential consequences for birth defects and long-term development.
A study published in Cerebral Cortex found that mice raised without a father exhibited impaired social behavior, increased aggression, and altered brain anatomy. The findings suggest that paternal presence during critical growth periods is essential for healthy child development.
A recent study found that the death of an adult son significantly increased depressive symptoms in mothers, but not fathers. Mothers who relied heavily on their sons for support experienced greater declines in overall health and wellbeing. In contrast, the loss of a daughter had no impact on parental wellbeing.
A new algorithm, relational social image search, can find individuals in untagged photos by quantifying relationships between people based on tag locations. The algorithm achieves high reliability without using computationally intensive software and is more efficient than standard approaches.
A comprehensive study reveals that poor mothers and fathers from ethnic minority groups experience high levels of chronic stress, affecting their mental and physical health. The research also found that certain ethnic groups, such as recent immigrants, tend to have lower stress levels despite facing similar socioeconomic challenges.
Research reveals that family naming trends in the US follow regional patterns, with people in states emphasizing honor more likely to use patronyms. Matronymns are rare and do not predict any statewide variables. The study highlights gender differences in naming traditions.
A study of 182 dual-earner couples found that mothers spent nearly 70% of their time on child care when their children were 9 months old. Despite having similar work constraints, the researchers discovered that mothers still invest significantly more time into parenting.
A University of Michigan study explores how divorce and remarriage impact caregivers, finding that adult stepchildren can be a source of stress. The research highlights the need for tailored interventions to address the unique needs of re-partnered older adults in complex family situations.
A new study finds that working mothers engage in mental labor related to family matters for approximately 29 hours per week, while fathers engage in about 24 hours. Mothers experience increased stress due to societal expectations and the pressure to balance work and family responsibilities.
Research shows that adolescents with half-siblings from a different father are at a higher risk of using drugs and having sex by age 15. The study, which examined data from the National Longitudinal Study of Youth, found that these children are about 65% more likely to use drugs and 2.5 times more likely to have sex by their 15th birthday
Researchers report a family cluster of two patients with H7N9 infection, suggesting direct transmission from father to daughter. However, the authors stress that the ability to transmit itself is limited and non-sustainable.
A new national study by University of Virginia researchers found that infants spending at least one night per week away from their mothers had more insecure attachments compared to those with fewer overnights or staying with fathers during the day. This raises concerns about the impact of parental separation on children's emotional con...
New research suggests that a father's obesity can lead to obesity and diabetes-like symptoms in his children and grandchildren. The study found molecular signals in the sperm of obese fathers can program embryos for obesity or metabolic disease later in life.
Research in mice suggests that obese fathers' changes to microRNAs increase the risk of daughters being overweight/obese and both sons and daughters developing diabetes-like diseases. Fathers' diet and body composition at conception may affect future child's health.
A study published in The FASEB Journal found that moderate paternal exposures, such as cigarette smoking, increase the number of mutations transmitted to children and potentially future generations. DNA mutations were more frequent in families with low-income fathers who smoked cigarettes.
A new study found that children whose parents divorce early in life tend to have more insecure relationships with their parents as adults. The researchers also discovered that paternal relationships are more likely to be affected by divorce, possibly due to mothers being more likely to receive primary custody.
Young zebra finches can learn their fathers' songs via their brothers, and this learning process is similar to human speech acquisition. The study found that juvenile siblings with no father exposure learned the same song as those exposed to a brother's song for a short period.
A new study suggests that fathers should ask their children for feedback on their parenting to improve the relationship. Researchers found that girls tend to believe in a father's enduring aspects, while boys think dads do good depending on the situation. Fatherhood expert Jeff Cookston offers five tips to improve dad-child relationships.
A University of Missouri researcher found that couples who share household and child-rearing responsibilities are happier. Doing chores together and having mutual divisions of labor benefitted both spouses, while father-child bonds also contributed to better marital satisfaction.
A recent study found that mothers tend to elaborate more and use more emotional terms when reminiscing with their children than fathers. This increased interaction helps mothers communicate the importance of their child's feelings and experiences, leading to better emotional well-being.
A recent study by Brigham Young University found that couples who do housework together and spend quality time with their children are more satisfied with the division of labor. The researchers also discovered that fathers' involvement in childcare significantly contributes to a better marriage relationship.
Researchers found that role reversal was caused by an imbalance in the numbers of males relative to females. In sex-reversed species like seahorses, males take on traditional female roles, such as caring for offspring and competing with each other for mates.
A new CU-Boulder-led study reveals that plants can exhibit altruistic behavior, prioritizing the growth and well-being of their closely related offspring. The research found that endosperm in seeds sharing the same mother and father grew more heavily than those with genetically different parents.
Gay black males struggle to cope with racism, homophobia, and sexism, carrying a special stigma that affects their self-image. Targeted interventions involving biological fathers or father figures can help families navigate this unexpected reality.
A father's death can have long-term effects on a child's later success in life, particularly for late childhood and early adolescence. Research suggests that bereaved children may experience lower adult living standards, earlier marriage, and smaller incomes due to the loss of a father's earning power.
Stay-at-home fathers are mobilizing to build greater legitimacy for their marginalized gender identity by aggressively pursuing recognition from mainstream institutions. They attempt to avoid feminizing associations by masculinizing domesticity, instead enacting a rebel dad persona and portraying themselves as a gender vanguard.
A University of Utah study supports the theory that men help their sisters' children because they are more likely to carry genes from their mother. The new mathematical model relaxes assumptions previously made, showing that men are more likely to share genes with their sister's kids than under the old theory.
A new study reveals that parents' dental fear can transmit to their children, with fathers acting as a major mediator in this process. The research analyzed 183 children and found that the father's emotional reactions significantly impact the child's perception of dentist anxiety.
A study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B found that cooperative family interactions and differing parental feeding patterns are crucial to a family's success. Small to medium-sized broods did best when mothers provided most food, while larger broods thrived with fathers as main feeders.
Research shows that Norwegian mothers who received a childcare benefit to stay at home with small children often don't return to full-time work until their child is six. However, educated mothers can safeguard their careers by working part-time, maintaining job expertise and networks.
A classic study on male and female promiscuity has been called into question after UCLA biologists repeated the experiment using the same methods as the original. The team found that Bateman's conclusions about the relationship between mate number and offspring fitness were likely flawed due to a bias in his methodology.
A study by Temple University found that parents' work-life stress hinders healthy eating in families, particularly among urban fathers who face higher rates of unemployment. Fathers and mothers experience different challenges in preparing meals, with mothers spending more time on food preparation but reporting fewer family meals.
A recent study published in the Journal of Political Economy found that human capital endowments passed from father to son play a crucial role in determining a son's success. The researchers used detailed government data on Swedish fathers and sons to isolate differences in income due to factors other than human capital.