The engagement of fathers in pregnancy

 The early engagement of fathers with their infants has grown in recent times. This involvement is correlated with enhanced cognitive and socio-emotional development of infants. Absent dads have been correlated with more secondary school, behavioral and developmental results in children with both immediate impacts on infant and child behavior and indirect effects likely due to partner relationship quandaries, lack of familiar support, and exposure to increased levels of maternal stress hormones while in utero. Spouse support during pregnancy may also inspire better maternal behavior, such as cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption. Analysis has shown that men who think they are unready for fatherhood tend to be less engaged, find the change to parenthood more challenging, and are less likely to be committed fathers.