Science / Health

How a man's brain changes when they have kids

15:10 pm on 9 September 2024

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Parents don't just change their children; children change their parents. Becoming a father results in changes in men's brains says Dr Darby Saxbe, the Founder of the Center for the Changing Family at the University of Southern California.  A recent study  looked at the brains of first-time fathers and reveals evidence that men undergo physical changes when they have children. Dr Saxbe says men have the hardwiring in their brains to be nurturing, but too often that job falls only to mothers. She makes the case to prioritize men doing more parenting because it can have long term benefits for brain health.  

Photo: Dr Darby Saxbe