Do Fathers Matter?

What Science Is Telling Us about the Parent We've Overlooked

By: Paul Raeburn

Narrated by: Paul Raeburn

Length: 6 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

For too long, we’ve thought of fathers as little more than sources of authority and economic stability in the lives of their children. Yet cutting-edge studies drawing unexpected links between fathers and children are forcing us to reconsider our assumptions and ask new questions: What changes occur in men when they are "expecting"? Do fathers affect their children's language development? What are the risks and rewards of being an older-than-average father at the time the child is born? What happens to a father's hormone levels at every stage of his child's development, and can a child influence the father’s health? Just how much do fathers matter?

In Do Fathers Matter? the award-winning journalist and father of five Paul Raeburn overturns the many myths and stereotypes of fatherhood as he examines the latest scientific findings on the parent we’ve often overlooked. Drawing on research from neuroscientists, animal behaviorists, geneticists, and developmental psychologists, among others, Raeburn takes us through the various stages of fatherhood, revealing the profound physiological connections between children and fathers, from conception through adolescence and into adulthood - and the importance of the relationship between mothers and fathers. In the process, he challenges the legacy of Freud and mainstream views of parental attachment, and also explains how we can become better parents ourselves.

Ultimately, Raeburn shows how the role of the father is distinctly different from that of the mother, and that embracing fathers' significance in the lives of young people is something we can all benefit from.

An engrossing, eye-opening, and deeply personal book that makes a case for a new perspective on the importance of fathers in our lives no matter what our family structure, Do Fathers Matter? will change the way we view fatherhood today.

©2014 Paul Raeburn (P)2014 Macmillan Audio

Answer: "Not as much as I hoped"

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No. It's interesting, but conclusions could be condensed into about 1 hour. But I would, and do, discuss the epigenetic phenomenon. Most people are completely unaware of how this works. If people understood this on a basic level, they might change some of their behavior or the environment of their child.

Would you be willing to try another book from Paul Raeburn? Why or why not?

Yes, I might. This book had enough interesting information.

What does Paul Raeburn bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Audiobook are so convenient and pleasant. I only read online or magazines.

Could you see Do Fathers Matter? being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No.

Any additional comments?

I said "Not as much as I hoped" to my wife when she asked me, "Well, DO fathers matter?". She thought that was pretty funny. But, yes, I matter.

My father-daughter life is forever changed!

My eyes and heart were opened wide after reading this book. It is written clearly and cogently. The author’s references to scientific research on the subject of actual value of “fathering”was the best information I’ve received all year.

Eye Opening

As a father you always have known you matter, but this book does a great job of telling you on a scientific level why you do matter. It is not only informative, but empowering. This book shows you as a father that you can have a huge impact on your children's lives and it does it without diminishing the the mother or other family members. If you are a father, definitely listen to this book. If you are anyone else its a great listen to.

Great and unique perspective!

I strongly agree that there should be more research done into why and how fathers are important. It is good to have the available research compiled in an easy to understand format.

Must reading for Feminists

Fathers have taken a beating in recent years, not just from Feminists but from the media and from lazy writers of fiction. It's a bad rap. This book sets the record straight with a lot more than what level-headed people knew already. Research is confirming that fathers do make a difference. If we don't understand that, the difference will be negativem. If we do,it may be positive.