By being a better father, you will develop a more meaningful relationship with your child. While some men who are dads may often feel tired, discouraged, and overworked, there are others who’ve discovered it’s possible to feel energized, inspired, and strong. In fact, studies have shown how fatherhood helps men become more productive. Whether you’re juggling with the idea of becoming a father or want some validation about your choice, you can learn about the personal benefits of being a dad that make it all worth it in the end.
Personal Health Improves
For many men, the structure that comes into a man’s life because of fatherhood helps him make better choices. According to Parents magazine, fathers tend to ditch bad habits like smoking and junk food, and prioritize exercise and healthier, home cooked meals.
Activity Level Increases
Routines like getting up at night, playing with the kids, and walking to the park make dads more active and feeling better about themselves. The Pew Research Center discovered that 54% of dads appreciate the benefits of parenthood.
Well-Being Is Improved
Research has found that men who are in healthy family relationships experience an improvement in their well-being.
Ability to Nurture Develops
The Minnesota Fathers & Families Network has found that men who succeeded as fathers are less inward-focused, and develop a greater ability to nurture and care for others. They did this not just for their children, but for their spouses, friends, and coworkers.
Risk for Clinical Depression Lowers
Men who live alone have a much higher risk of depression and suicide than married men with children. Research from the Harvard Men’s Health Watch showed in a survey of 127,545 American adults that men who were married were healthier than those who were unmarried, divorced, or widowed.
Children Learn Better
The National Center for Education Statistics found that children of responsible and involved fathers learned life skills faster and better than children without an involved father in their lives.
Personal Freedom Strengthens
Research shows that committed fathers are less likely to have encounters with the criminal justice system. They’re also prone to fewer hospital admissions, fewer accidental and premature deaths, and a decreased risk of substance abuse.
