Becoming a Dad triggers men to ditch risky behaviours like drinking, drug taking and crime, according to a new study which says fatherhood can be a “transformative experience” for men with previous bad habits.

Contrary to conventional wisdom that suggests “you can’t change a tiger’s stripes”, when men become fathers for the first time they smoke, drink and use marijuana less and commit fewer crimes.

Age Alone Not Factor

According to David Kerr, assistant professor of psychology at Oregon State University who led the study, the positive changes in men’s behavior had nothing to do with entering adulthood.

“Controlling for the aging process, fatherhood was an independent factor in predicting decreases in crime, alcohol and tobacco use.”

The study tracked the behaviour of men from disadvantaged backgrounds over 19 years and found who became fathers in their late 20s and early 30s were more likely to drop bad habits than those who had kids in their teens or early 20s.

Testosterone Drops Too

But perhaps men ditching risky behavior might be attributed to hormones. Testosterone is the hard charging, adventure-seeking hormone that can lead men to riskier behaviour.

In September the New York Times reported on a study published by Northwestern University that showed testosterone dropped after fatherhood.

Another behavior changer could simply be from a man being in a relationship. A Harvard study as far back as 2003 found that the more time men spend in relationships, particularly marriage, they are more likely to have lower testosterone.

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About the author

Jenny W