Fathers receive less attention in parenting research than mothers. A new book by psychologist Darby Saxbe seeks to address this gap by presenting recent findings on how fatherhood affects men’s brains and lives.
The book notes that men with smaller testicles show stronger brain responses to images of their infants and are often described by partners as more involved caregivers. Saxbe, based at the University of Southern California, argues that greater paternal engagement benefits children and partners alike.
She draws on brain imaging studies and cross-cultural observations. In one Central African group, fathers remain close to infants nearly half the time, including during daily tasks. In parts of East Africa, cultural norms limit early paternal contact. Research overall shows wide differences in fathers’ roles worldwide.
The text also points out that scientific studies mention mothers far more often than fathers. This pattern can affect support during events such as premature births, when fathers may receive little guidance.
Evidence links involved fathers to better child sleep patterns and mental health outcomes. Saxbe cautions against oversimplified claims about parental differences, noting that some widely shared assertions rest on limited data.
While the book includes examples of diverse family structures, most cited studies focus on heterosexual couples. Reviewers describe the work as informative and well researched, though it lacks a strong unifying narrative.
