Fatherhood and Testosterone: Study Authors Discuss the Details

Commentary invited by editors of Scientific American

Fatherhood, Childcare, and Testosterone: Study Authors Discuss the Details
By Lee Gettler, Chris Kuzawa, Thomas McDade and Alan Feranil | October 5, 2011



Recently we published a study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reporting a drop in testosterone levels among newly partnered new fathers. We were gratified to see those findings discussed widely, from the front page of the New York Times to spirited conversations among groups of parents. As the study percolated through the media and across blogs, inevitably some of its nuances, interesting implications, and important limitations were obscured. In addition, news of our results was also used by some to reinforce unfortunate stereotypes about masculinity. Critiques of the interpretation of the study and especially its portrayal in the media have been published (for example, see critiques here and here). Clearly, these findings struck a chord!

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/2011/10/05/fatherhood-childcare-and-testosterone-study-authors-discuss-the-details