Why Fathers Matter - Dr Anna Machin

Anna Machin is an evolutionary anthropologist at Oxford University, a researcher into the role of fatherhood across time and an author. The modern world has made dads surplus to requirements in many ways. The deadbeat dad is such a meme in sitcoms and cartoons now that it's no surprise men don't feel they have a role in child rearing. But just how important are fathers to the development of boys and girls? And what don't we know about their impact? Expect to learn how fathers saved the human race when babies heads got too big, whether it's normal for dads to not feel love for their baby when it's born, the most important ways dads can bond with their kids, whether dads are more important to girls' or boys' development, what pushback Anna got for writing a pro-father book and much more... Sponsors: Get 10% discount on Marek Health’s comprehensive blood panels at https://marekhealth.com/modernwisdom (use code: MODERNWISDOM) Get 20% discount & free shipping on your Lawnmower 4.0 at https://manscaped.com/modernwisdom (use code MODERNWISDOM) Get 15% discount on Craftd London’s jewellery at https://craftd.com/modernwisdom (use code MW15) Extra Stuff: Get my free Reading List of 100 books to read before you die → https://chriswillx.com/books/ To support me on Patreon (thank you): https://www.patreon.com/modernwisdom #family #fatherhood #mensrights - 00:00 We Need to Change the Narrative Around Fathers 06:02 How Evolution Shows the Value of Fatherhood 12:26 Is Modern Culture Making Fathers Redundant? 23:28 Changes in the Brain in a Committed Relationship 27:19 Why Babies Should Lie on the Father’s Chest 30:17 Differences in Roles of Mothers & Father’s in Child-Nurturing 41:23 Why Adolescents Need Their Fathers 50:04 Why Does Our Current Society Demonise Fathers? 58:13 What Anna Wished More People Knew 1:01:39 Where to Find Dr Machin - Get access to every episode 10 hours before YouTube by subscribing for free on Spotify - https://spoti.fi/2LSimPn or Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/2MNqIgw Get my free Reading List of 100 life-changing books here - https://chriswillx.com/books/ - Get in touch in the comments below or head to... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx Email: https://chriswillx.com/contact/

Chris WilliamsonhostDr Anna Machinguest

Sep 14, 20231h 2mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: September 14, 2023
Duration: 1h 2m
Channel: Modern Wisdom
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Anna Machin is an evolutionary anthropologist at Oxford University, a researcher into the role of fatherhood across time and an author. The modern world has made dads surplus to requirements in many ways. The deadbeat dad is such a meme in sitcoms and cartoons now that it's no surprise men don't feel they have a role in child rearing. But just how important are fathers to the development of boys and girls? And what don't we know about their impact? Expect to learn how fathers saved the human race when babies heads got too big, whether it's normal for dads to not feel love for their baby when it's born, the most important ways dads can bond with their kids, whether dads are more important to girls' or boys' development, what pushback Anna got for writing a pro-father book and much more... Sponsors: Get 10% discount on Marek Health’s comprehensive blood panels at https://marekhealth.com/modernwisdom (use code: MODERNWISDOM) Get 20% discount & free shipping on your Lawnmower 4.0 at https://manscaped.com/modernwisdom (use code MODERNWISDOM) Get 15% discount on Craftd London’s jewellery at https://craftd.com/modernwisdom (use code MW15) Extra Stuff: Get my free Reading List of 100 books to read before you die → https://chriswillx.com/books/ To support me on Patreon (thank you): https://www.patreon.com/modernwisdom #family #fatherhood #mensrights - 00:00 We Need to Change the Narrative Around Fathers 06:02 How Evolution Shows the Value of Fatherhood 12:26 Is Modern Culture Making Fathers Redundant? 23:28 Changes in the Brain in a Committed Relationship 27:19 Why Babies Should Lie on the Father’s Chest 30:17 Differences in Roles of Mothers & Father’s in Child-Nurturing 41:23 Why Adolescents Need Their Fathers 50:04 Why Does Our Current Society Demonise Fathers? 58:13 What Anna Wished More People Knew 1:01:39 Where to Find Dr Machin - Get access to every episode 10 hours before YouTube by subscribing for free on Spotify - https://spoti.fi/2LSimPn or Apple Podcasts - https://apple.co/2MNqIgw Get my free Reading List of 100 life-changing books here - https://chriswillx.com/books/ - Get in touch in the comments below or head to... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx Email: https://chriswillx.com/contact/

SPEAKERS

Chris Williamson
host
Dr Anna Machin
guest
Narrator
other

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Modern Wisdom, featuring Chris Williamson and Dr Anna Machin, Why Fathers Matter - Dr Anna Machin explores evolutionary anthropologist reveals crucial, misunderstood role of modern fathers Dr. Anna Machin argues that dominant cultural narratives about fathers are fictional, unscientific, and damaging to men, children, and families. Drawing on evolutionary anthropology and contemporary research, she explains that human males are biologically primed to parent and that male parental investment was pivotal to our species’ survival. Fathers and mothers are equal in importance but distinct in function: mothers specialize in core nurturing while fathers uniquely scaffold children’s social skills, resilience, and entry into the wider world. She calls for cultural, medical, and policy changes—especially better paternity leave and father-focused support—to recognize fathers as true co-parents rather than optional extras.

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