Motherhood

[ThatsNotMyCherry]

Are there any advantages that mothers have over fathers that have been established by science? Obviously only women can get pregnant, give birth and breastfeed which will likely effect bonding in the early days but I imagine this effect wears off after a while and there is no reason why a father cannot be as effective as a mother at parenting/childcare or do you think this effect persists?

I found this study on this topic interesting: www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/new-fathers-experience-brain-change-bond-their-child-9940117.html%3famp

The human brain is amazing, “plastic” is the word I believe. Being immersed in a new environment or a new skill does create changes in brain structures I believe. Relationships can also create changes in brain structures which is the hoped for result in some therapeutic relationships. Parenting is a relationship and can be a deeply immersive experience depending on how you choose to do it

'Other studies from Canada suggest that expectant fathers actually experience biological and hormonal changes that prepare them for parenting. This research says that testosterone in expectant fathers will drop by a third, while the hormones prolactin and cortisol, both connected with pregnant women, will rise significantly in the three weeks before your baby’s due date. Similar research shows that prolactin levels in men increase when they cuddle a baby or even a crying doll. It backs up findingsthat there is some genuine physiological basis for expectant fathers experiencing the symptoms of a phantom pregnancy.'

Thanks! This seems like an interesting read on this subject. Just discovered it after posting this thread.
www.goodreads.com/book/show/270100.Mother_Nature#

I wonder whether there is a difference between how men and women feel about their children due to the enormous biological burden and investment that reproduction has on women, relative to men.

That’s a good point!

"there is some genuine physiological basis for expectant fathers experiencing the symptoms of a phantom pregnancy."

Yet another female-only condition is appropriated and made meaningless by men or by women who pander to men. Why do they have to call it a "phantom pregnancy"? Why can't they make the effort to create their own male name for the effect (which is not phantom pregnancy) that they find only in men? Why could they not call it e.g. "phantom fatherhood" instead?

Testosterone dropping by a third! That's enough to have a pretty marked effect on many men, as it would those with middling levels toward being borderline hypogonadal, with all of the associated effects on their sex drive, assertiveness, etc. It makes sense though as I believe increased testosterone reduces empathy, so the reverse may also be true.

Is anyone aware of any studies that look at the long terms outcomes for children who were raised by mothers as primary caregivers vs fathers as primary caregivers?

[quote ThatsNotMyCherry]Thanks! This seems like an interesting read on this subject. Just discovered it after posting this thread.
www.goodreads.com/book/show/270100.Mother_Nature#[/quote]
Sarah Hrdy is brilliant and I enjoyed both Mother Nature and Mothers and Others.

My impression (based on both personal experience and my amateur readings of psychology) is that babies exist in a non-verbal world in which physical bonding is important. The biological mother has an advantage in bonding because of the physical acts of pregnancy, childbirth, and (optionally) breastfeeding, but a father or adoptive mother can also bond through consistent physical contact, while other adults like grandparents and childminders can provide supplementary bonding (as well as support for the mother, which is also important in maintaining her mental and physical health).

As a child becomes more verbal and mobile, their social needs become less intensely physical and branches out to include other adults and children. The unit of childrearing becomes less nuclear family and more "the tribe".

I'd be interested in other studies and viewpoints.

@DreadPirateLuna Her books have a lot of positive reviews. I think I will check them out.

You’re right that through contact others can also bond with babies. That’s what the study I posted earlier shows. I am guessing we probably don’t have any research yet on whether the mother will always have some advantage because of the physical nature of motherhood or whether other primary caregivers can bond just as well and also whether the outcomes for children raised primarily by fathers vs primarily by mothers are the same.