The Evolution of Dad
Our success as a species has, in part, been down to men's motivation to care, protect and provide for their children.
Over 500,000 years, women have been selecting ‘tender defenders’ to father their children. This evolutionary process has gradually shaped men's anatomy, brains, genes and hormones to create modern men primed to be involved parents.
Why Positively Involved Dads Matter
Research now clearly shows how important dads are in children's lives. Children tend to be smarter, healthier and more resilient if dad is positively involved. It also benefits women who rightly expect a good dad to be involved in birth plans, child care and decision-making about children.
What Makes a Man a Dad?
Although ‘dad’ is normally the biological father, ‘dad’ can also be a ‘social father’. In many cultures around the world the role of father is not necessarily tied to a genetic relationship or to only one man - the often venerated title of ‘dad’ is given to the man who steps up to care, protect and provide for a child. Although our cultural norm is the nuclear family there have always been significant exceptions like adoptive families and step-parents. As our society becomes more liberal and fertility techniques advance, the title of ‘dad’ is even more diverse.
It is by doing that men become dads. And we hope that the information & signposting you can find here will help you become the dad you want to be and give your children the best possible start in life.
Pregnancy and babies (first 1,000 days)
Welcome to the life journey that is fatherhood. 80% of men become dads, and a great dad can make all the difference to their children, families and society as a whole.
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Toddler and Pre-School (2-5 years)
"Being a father means you have to think fast on your feet. You must be judicious, wise, brave, tender, and willing to put on a frilly hat and sit down to a pretend tea party." Matthew Buckley
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