Fascinating Facts About Dad According to Science

People get about 50% of their DNA from their dads. But, being a father is more than just simply handing down the right number of chromosomes. A dad’s presence also matters during pregnancy and after the birth. In fact, even science agrees that fathers are just as influential—and affected—by the addition of a new family member.

Who does the new baby look like? Count your lucky stars if the answer to this common post-delivery question is “dad." In a study published in the Journal of Health Economics, author Solomon Polachek found that babies who look like their fathers tend to be healthier.

It is thought that the resemblance encourages the men to spend more time with the child, because they are assured of paternity. Participants in the study showed that children whose fathers were present had less frequent asthma attacks and trips to the emergency room. It just goes to show that fathers make a difference in the health of their children.

We all know about the nausea, sleeplessness, and the aching body of a pregnant mom. But, what about when dad goes through a bout of morning sickness? Couvade or sympathetic pregnancy is a condition where the father also experiences symptoms of being pregnant.

Some doctors believe it is a psychological response because of the changes and stress caused by pregnancy. Others think that it is a physical reaction. Men also experience hormonal changes during fatherhood. For example, testosterone drops right after the baby is born and cortisol increases during labor and delivery. While the jury is still out why couvade occurs, it is certain that fathers are also affected by pregnancy.

The Journal of American Medical Association reports that up to 10% of men showed signs of paternal postpartum depression from the first part of their wife’s pregnancy up until six months after the birth of the child. This emotional low is thought to be caused by changes in hormones, sleep deprivation, and postpartum depression in mothers. In fact, studies have shown that one of the best predictors of paternal postpartum depression is whether the mother also feels depressed.

Michelle J. Budig, a University of Massachusetts-Amherst professor, has spent 15 years researching the topic of wages. She found that men earn 6% more when they have a child. Her assertion is echoed by a study made by Cornell University, which found that employers give higher salaries to fathers when compared to men who don’t have any children.

There are many factors that cause this increase. One reason is the cultural bias of thinking that fathers are the breadwinners of families. Fathers are given more because they are thought of as providers. Becoming a parent also increases productivity because it develops skills that can be utilized at work. Examples of these are conflict resolution, multi-tasking, and patience.

Dads are important—this fact is backed up by science. This is why it is key to give them protections like the BPI AIA Wellness Series, a range of life insurance products powered by AIA Vitality, a science-backed wellness program that rewards choices that lead to a healthy lifestyle.

In addition to the 20% upfront additional coverage, they can earn points from health assessments and meeting health and wellness targets. These points can then be exchanged for rewards with partner establishments. Find out how to take care of fathers and the whole family by visiting a BPI branch near you or checking out BPI AIA Wellness Series.