What can science tell us about fatherhood? Fathers historically have gotten a deserved but bad rap acting primarily as “hunter-gatherers” rather than as caregivers.
While some of our roles are cultural; there may be a biological component. As this graph shows, mothers are not the only parent whose hormonal mix changes with childbirth. The decrease in testosterone may enhance our fatherliness and reduce the “desire” to rush back out and start hunting and gathering again.
Take a moment to read the excellent article, Evolution of the dad, from Knowable Magazine, from which this image was taken. In the meantime, Happy Father’s Day.
