DadTalk

Biology of Dads

I'm not a father, but I did used to have one, so I'm not completely unaware of what's involved. My own dad wasn't what you'd call a modern one. I saw him once a day, in his study, where he'd cane me. "Thank you sir, good night," I'd say afterwards, holding back the tears until I was out of there. I don't think it did me any harm.

It seems, from The Biology of Dads (BBC4), that the role has changed a little. Look at this guy, Richard, chatting away to his son. "Hello Sunshine, are you awake?" he says. Awake? He hasn't even been born yet. Richard's talking to his wife's bump. But get this: little Sunshine, the foetus, responds more – in terms of increased heartbeat – to Richard's voice than he does to mum Alice's. Dad is already bonding, even before he's technically a dad. To be honest, I reckon the result may have something to do with the fact he's bellowing at his wife's belly from about an inch away (poor Sunshine is probably terrified), whereas Alice is further away, for anatomical reasons.

Maybe that's when my father did his chit-chat with me, pre-natally. Except I think he was away, exploring Africa or something. And I'm pretty sure he didn't do what some modern dads-to-be do: develop a kind of man morning sickness. After the birth, testosterone leaks out of them like oil from a BP well. Their maleness vanishes and they become gentle and nurturing – women basically, or well on the way. If evolution carries on as it is, then it won't be long before chaps are breastfeeding. Fascinating, and a little bit worrying perhaps.

Read more from the Guardian