A groundbreaking exploration of how fatherhood transforms men's brains, bodies, health, skills and relationships - showing that men are wired to participate in care, just as women are.
'Wonderful . . . it tells us why becoming a dad is so incredibly good for you' Independent
'Compelling . . . terrific ' New Scientist
'Fascinating . . . lucid' The Times
In recent years men's attitudes to fatherhood have changed dramatically. But only now are we learning how profoundly fatherhood changes men's brains and biology - and the effects these changes have on their health, skills, relationships and sense of purpose. In Dad Brain, one of the world's leading researchers of fatherhood, Darby Saxbe, provides a captivating account of this new science, revealing that:
Fathers' brains shrink and their testosterone drops
Fathers undergo a host of hormonal changes once thought only to affect women
Fathers can suffer post-partum depression but enjoy better long-term health
Fathers' style of play makes their kids more resilient
Dads who do more housework are generally happier
Above all, Dad Brain shows that these are all crucial adaptations that enable better parenting but they only come online when fathers invest time into parenthood: the more they do, the more they change for the better. Ultimately it shows a good father is not something you are, it is something you become.
'Saxbe's deeply researched and entertaining book fills a crucial gap in our understanding' Financial Times
'Saxbe wants to debunk the stereotype that parenting does not come naturally to men and . . . takes particular aim at the myth that they "lack the biology for it"' Sunday Times
| ISBN: | 9781847928801 |
| Publication date: | 11th June 2026 |
| Author: | Darby Saxbe |
| Publisher: | The Bodley Head an imprint of Vintage Publishing |
| Format: | Hardback |
| Pagination: | 208 pages |
| Genres: |
Parenting Gender studies: men and boys Men’s health Family psychology Human biology |
A groundbreaking exploration of how fatherhood transforms men's brains, bodies, health, skills and relationships - showing that men are wired to participate in care, just as women are.
'Wonderful . . . it tells us why becoming a dad is so incredibly good for you' Independent
'Compelling . . . terrific ' New Scientist
'Fascinating . . . lucid' The Times
In recent years men's attitudes to fatherhood have changed dramatically. But only now are we learning how profoundly fatherhood changes men's brains and biology - and the effects these changes have on their health, skills, relationships and sense of purpose. In Dad Brain, one of the world's leading researchers of fatherhood, Darby Saxbe, provides a captivating account of this new science, revealing that:
Fathers' brains shrink and their testosterone drops
Fathers undergo a host of hormonal changes once thought only to affect women
Fathers can suffer post-partum depression but enjoy better long-term health
Fathers' style of play makes their kids more resilient
Dads who do more housework are generally happier
Above all, Dad Brain shows that these are all crucial adaptations that enable better parenting but they only come online when fathers invest time into parenthood: the more they do, the more they change for the better. Ultimately it shows a good father is not something you are, it is something you become.
'Saxbe's deeply researched and entertaining book fills a crucial gap in our understanding' Financial Times
'Saxbe wants to debunk the stereotype that parenting does not come naturally to men and . . . takes particular aim at the myth that they "lack the biology for it"' Sunday Times
Dad Brain features in the following genres: Parenting, Gender studies: men and boys, Men’s health, Family psychology, Human biology
Dad Brain is available in Hardback, Paperback
Dad Brain was written by Darby Saxbe and published by The Bodley Head an imprint of Vintage Publishing
Dad Brain has 208 pages
£19.80