(Image Source: Channel 4 News)

BY EMOKE BEBIAK

You're watching multisource health video news analysis from Newsy. 
 

Even the manliest men are wired to become nurturing fathers, according to a study by anthropologists at Northwestern University.

The key -- testosterone.

San Diego’s KGTV has the story.

“When men become fathers, their testosterone levels drop. Researchers found the level of decline was dramatic. Now, no word on why fatherhood affects testosterone levels... “

But MSNBC reports, researchers have a theory: lower testosterone levels are a natural way to make fatherhood more enjoyable for men.

“Even with a three-year spacing between children, mom needs help with the kids. When dad helps, his testosterone declines, making him feel content so he can focus on mother and children rather than, say, fighting a war, looking for sex, or playing fantasy football.”

The study followed 600 men over a period of five years. CBS reports just how low the testosterone levels drop when babies enter the picture.

“[T]hose who became fathers saw their testosterone drop 34 percent. Men without kids saw a 14 percent testosterone drop, a factor of normal aging. Testosterone tanked most in men with a child less than one month old. These guys' testosterone levels dropped a whopping 50 percent - and their levels remained low until their kid was a toddler.”

And the BBC adds, lower testosterone levels don’t just make fatherhood easier-- but in fact contribute to a man’s health.

“...the researchers believe lower testosterone levels might protect against certain chronic diseases, which could, in part, explain why married men and fathers often enjoy better health than single men of the same age.”

A study co-author tells CNN the findings challenge social norms; it’s time to start seeing men as caregivers. He says,

“‘This suggests that a lot of stereotypes about men and child-rearing, maybe we need to rethink them a little bit... It seems like it's part of our biological make-up to shift into the role of caregiver once it's required of us.’“

It’s not only fatherhood that tames men--women’s tears have the same effect reports NPR. Earlier this year, a study found that sniffing a woman’s tears lowers testosterone.


Transcript by Newsy.