Dad Brain - by Darby Saxbe (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A groundbreaking exploration of the science and significance of fatherhood that shows great dads are made, not born

Over the last decade, we've learned more about the transformative power of parenthood--biologically, psychologically, and socially--than ever before. But while the experience of motherhood has attracted well-deserved attention, fatherhood has remained overlooked and, often, misunderstood.

Now, in Dad Brain, field-leading psychologist Darby Saxbe, PhD, explains how becoming a father changes men, from their bodies and brain architecture to their hormones and sense of purpose. Inspired by her relationship with her dad, Saxbe has studied fathers and families for over twenty years. In her first book, she takes readers behind the scenes of her new research and around the world, from hunter-gatherers in the Congo to contemporary suburban dads, and into her pioneering studies of how parenthood shapes men's brains and lives.

Readers may be surprised to learn that, in addition to altering a dad's hormones and health (yes, men experience postpartum depression, and "dad bod" is real), parenthood can also benefit men. Dads who spend time with their kids sharpen their paternal instincts and even show more youthful brains in later life. Dads' unique approach to play makes kids more resilient, and fathers bring new insights to workplaces and build better societies. Ultimately, fatherhood can help men discover a richer, more connected, and more meaningful life.

For fans of science-based storytelling that is also irreverent, funny, and personal, Dad Brain offers an illuminating, empowering, and optimistic new understanding of fatherhood that will become a must-read for every parent.

Review Quotes

"Superb. Engaging, authoritative and uplifting. Saxbe shows how men become fathers at the level of biology, exploding stubborn myths about Dads not being suited for parenting. Impressive and inspiring. A book for everyone."--Richard V. Reeves, author of Of Boys and Men

"Dad Brain is the smartest book about fatherhood I've ever read, and it might be the most sophisticated book about fatherhood ever written. Being a dad is the world's most important job but it has the least reliable training manual. Marrying neuroscience to storytelling and humor, Darby Saxbe offers a tour of the hidden infrastructure of dad life, from hormones to marriage dynamics. If you want to understand how fatherhood is changing, and how being a dad changes men, you have to read this book."--Derek Thompson, bestselling author of Abundance

"In this entertaining and fascinating book, Darby Saxbe unpacks how fatherhood transforms men's lives, from their brains to their careers. It's a must-read for everyone who values the importance of dads and believes in the power of care." --Eve Rodsky, New York Times bestselling author of Fair Play and Find Your Unicorn Space

"An eye-opening exploration of fatherhood and its impact on a child's life--and on a partnership, a family, and society at large. With equal parts science and story, Darby Saxbe sheds new light on an untold and misunderstood narrative. If you are a dad, if you're married to a dad, or if you have a dad--you want this book." --Aliza Pressman, PhD, author of The Five Principles of Parenting and host of the Raising Good Humans podcast

"Make no mistake: Darby Saxbe has achieved something even broader and deeper than her title promises. Dad Brain is a wonderful book about the biology of fatherhood and an important text about parenthood from the perspective of an accomplished scientist."--Antonio Damasio, renowned neuroscientist, head of the USC Brain and Creativity Institute, and author of Descartes' Error

"Dad Brain is a masterful, science-packed, story-full journey for moms and dads alike to understand how the role of parent--birth or adoptive--changes our brains. Filled with exciting cutting-edge knowledge about neuroplasticity, this fascinating book offers unique and practical insights into the parenting journey and how we can honor our relational connections to our kids, and to our inner selves. This is a wonderful contribution to the parenting library recommended for anyone interested in improving children's and parents' lives!" --Daniel J. Siegel, M.D., New York Times bestselling author of The Whole Brain Child, Parenting from the Inside Out, and Brainstorm

"Dad Brain offers a fascinating look at fatherhood, bringing cutting-edge research to life with clarity and heart. By taking fathers seriously as caregivers--and by making the science both accessible and compelling--this must-read book honors the critically important role men play in raising children and expands how we understand parenting itself."--Lisa Damour, PhD, author of Untangled, Under Pressure, and The Emotional Lives of Teenagers

"Dad Brain is a much-needed book and an ode to the importance of dads."--Pamela Druckerman, author of Bringing Up Bébé

"The role of fatherhood has shifted in recent decades, meaning many of today's dads may not have grown up with healthy models, Saxbe writes, but men who choose to challenge ingrained cultural stereotypes surrounding masculinity and care work are often rewarded with more meaningful lives. Smart and uplifting, this is a powerful resource for dads and dads-to-be."--Publishers Weekly

"Compelling and entertaining . . . enlightening for dads, their partners, their children, and anyone interested in the role of parenthood in society."--Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Darby Saxbe, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and professor of psychology at the University of Southern California. She has published over eighty scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals and secured more than $3 million in grant funding for her research. She earned awards from the American Psychological Association and the Society for Research in Child Development and was a Fulbright fellow. Dr. Saxbe has written for outlets such as the New York Times, O: The Oprah Magazine, and Scientific American, and consulted on bestselling books, including Eve Rodsky's Fair Play. She received her PhD in clinical psychology from UCLA and her BA in English and psychology from Yale University.