Fatherhood Can Help to Change a Man’s Bad Habits

lisaliving staff

Most people men or women usually lose their wild streak, as they grow older and mature. But it seems fatherhood, can also add to the change of negative behaviour.

In a recent study, published in the Journal of Marriage and Family, 200 at-risk boys, annually for 19 years, ages 12-31 were assessed. Researchers found that men’s criminal behaviour, alcohol and marijuana consumption decreased.

“These decreases were in addition to the general tendency of boys to engage less in these types of behaviors as they approach and enter adulthood,” said David Kerr, assistant professor of psychology at Oregon State University and lead author of the study. “Controlling for the aging process, fatherhood was an independent factor in predicting decreases in crime, alcohol and tobacco use.”

The decrease usually occurred after the first birth.

Kerr suggests that intervention for those engaging in high risk behaviour , might be more effective with those who become new fathers.