Being agirl dad isarollercoaster ride for fathers. They may find themselves playing princess, doing makeovers and nails, and playing games that will cater totheir daughters’ happiness. Inanexcerpt from Dwayne Johnson’s Instagram, hestated, “Every man wants ason, but every man needs adaughter.” Asinteresting asbeing aparentis, there are intriguing findings that girl dads may live longer, which this article will tackle.
Research from Jagiellonian University revealed intheir data that fathers tend tolive longer with each daughter they have, about 74extra weeks oflife per daughter. Tosee what might affect how long dads live, the study looked athow many kids they had, separating sons from daughters. Surprisingly, having more kids orsons overall didn’t make adifference.
But there was aclear link: the more daughters afather had, the longer helived. Data indicates that girls’ dads may enjoy life longer, and itprompted the study ofthe impact ofchildbirth orchildren onfathers’ health and longevity, which has yet tobeexplored. Onthe other hand, another research concludes that regardless oftheir kids’ gender, “having children isassociated with increased longevity, particularly inanabsolute sense inold age.”
Based onthese two studies, itcan beinterpreted that there isadifference between fathers who have daughters asimplied that they live longer; however, there isnot much impact from fathers with sons. Astohow and why, further research isrecommended byexperts, but influences ofdaughters infatherhood play abig factor.
Some studies enumerate the psychological benefits ofhaving daughters for fathers, asraising one can influence their attitudes and behavior. Fathers with daughters experience arange ofpsychological benefits that enhance their emotional and mental well-being. Research shows these dads often become more emotionally expressive, empathetic, and open incommunication, which improves their emotional intelligence and mental health.
Having adaughter can also boost afather’s self-esteem and give him astronger sense ofpurpose asacaregiver. Additionally, fathers tend tobecome more aware ofgender equality, often challenging stereotypes and becoming advocates for women’s rights, further adding totheir sense offulfillment and social responsibility.
Astudy found that fathers tend tointeract differently with their sons and daughters, even from toddlerhood. Fathers ofdaughters were more emotionally responsive, used more expressive language, and engaged innurturing behaviors like singing and discussing feelings. They also showed greater brain activity inresponse totheir daughters’ happy faces, suggesting stronger emotional engagement.
Incontrast, fathers ofsons played more roughly and used more achievement-focused language, like “win” and “top.” Their brain scans showed heightened responses totheir sons’ neutral facial expressions, possibly reflecting uncertainty ininterpreting the boys’ emotions. Another study shows that “parents with daughters have slightly better physical health outcomes.”
As daughters influence and boost fathers' purpose as caregivers, the Social Dependency Hypothesis of Longevity comes into play. It proposes that evolution favors longer, healthier adult lives in species or in individuals who take on caregiving roles because helping raise the next generation increases their survival.
A key player in this may be oxytocin, a hormone linked to bonding. Oxytocin helps reduce stress, inflammation, and cell damage. It also supports systems in the body that fight disease. Because of this, it might help explain why being a nurturing caregiver can lead to a longer life.
Spending time with their children can actually change fathers’ hormone levels and brain activity, helping them adjust to parenthood in ways that have often been overlooked, says Professor Marian Bakermans-Kranenburg, a child and family relations expert at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and formerly of Leiden University in the Netherlands.
Research suggests that active play with children has been linked to higher oxytocin levels in dads. In one experiment, fathers who received oxytocin via nasal spray engaged in more stimulating play with their toddlers, hinting that oxytocin influences fathering behavior. However, researchers caution that this relationship is likely a two-way street—hormones may shape behavior, but behavior can also influence hormone release.
Fatherhood may bestressful and abig responsibility, but italso offers significant mental and physical benefits. These include increased empathy, longer life, improved mental health, and greater happiness and satisfaction. Researchers note that involved fathers often adopt healthier lifestyles—improving their diet and exercise habits. They also tend tofeel more connected totheir families and communities and tobemore satisfied with their lives.
Spending time with children boosts fathers’ emotional well-being. Studies show they experience more positive emotions and meaning during time with their kids compared toother daily activities. Holding anewborn can trigger aspike inoxytocin, while testosterone levels may drop, shifting focus from competition tocaregiving.
What does it feel like to be a girl's dad?
Girl dads ofthe internet shared their personal experience with fatherhood:
- The only wordI can think ofis“Awesome.” Ihave three daughters and love all ofthem without condition first.
Myoldest learned toread ataVERY young age offour because her daycare taught her phonics. She read methe bedtime stories, sogofigure? Mysecond issmart also, but isthe social butterfly. Never adull moment.
Mythird daughter has come out abit selfish, which Iam workingon. Everything is“Mine, mine.” She does not live with the two older daughters.
The bottom line isthat your daughter will pick uponyour actions and emotions. Bekind and loving tothe Mom. Teach that young girl how toread and enjoy books assoon asyou can. DoNOT just give them aTV show towatch tokeep them out ofyour hair. Beinterested inand attend every event orsports match oftheirs that you can.©Andrew DReeves/ Quora - That Iam the first male figure inher life, and what Ido can affect how she may view the opposite sex for avery long time. It’s like this little 4-year-old girl challenges metobeabetter man every timeI look ather. Itfeels like such anhonor and amassive responsibility all atthe same time.©turkeysteed/ Reddit
- Itisawesome, asI have two great daughters whomI love and think the worldof! Itwas somuch fun (but challenging attimes) tosee them grow and mature into adults and see them become great wives and mothers. Iam soproud ofthem both and dowhatI can tocontinue tosupport and encourage them.
Certainly, asadad, you are protective ofyour daughters, and itcan bedifficult tolet them goasthey grow into adults. Itcan also beheartbreaking when you see their decision not asyou would like and then see the results ofthem, but still love and support them and encourage them and provide counsel and help asmakes sense asadults.
Iwould say itissoimportant for dads tobeactive and involved inparenting and toshow your daughters how they should betreated byloving and respecting their mom! ©Gary Kehr/ Quora - The most stressful part ofbeing the father ofdaughters isthat you become the paradigm ofmale-ness tothem, whatever that maybe. Think aboutit: for her formative years, afather represents half the population ofthe planet. It’s humbling.
But all that pressure and stress goes out the window when she runs tohug you when you pick her upfrom school, orwaves toyou from the stage atthe school play. Inthose moments, you’re not50% ofthe population. You’re the only one she has eyes for.
Ihave ason, too, andI love him dearly. But daughters are different. Ifyou have any kind ofheart, they change you. Iam better because ofmygirls.©smalvarad0/ Reddit
Fatherhood isabig responsibility and anamazing experience. Find out what fatherhood isall about with this link.
