- Paternal bond
The paternal bond is typically the relationship between a
father and his child. [Early Childhood Longitudinal Study 2006. "Measuring Father Involvement in Young Children's Lives." National Center for Education Statistics. "Fathers of U.S. children born in 2001".] In the U.S., legalpaternity is presumed for the husband of the mother unless a separate action is taken; an unmarried man may establish paternity by signing a voluntary recognition of paternity or by taking court action. [U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Child Support Enforcement. "Handbook on Child Support Enforcement." (Washington, DC: Author) [http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cse] ] Paternity may also be established between a man and a younger person, commonly inadoption , without the two being related to each other.Fatherhood
The father of a child can develop the bond during the
pregnancy of his partner, feelingattachment to the developing child. Research indicates that this may have some biological basis. [Linda F. Palmer. "Bonding Matters: The Chemistry of Attachment." Attachment Parenting International News: Vol. 5, No. 2, 2002.] Statistics show that fathers' levels oftestosterone tend to decline several months before the birth of the child (due, perhaps, to an inverse pheromonal chemical produced by the mother during pregnancy). Since high testosterone levels seem to encourage more aggressive behaviourFact|date=August 2008, low levels may enhance the ability to develop a new relationship bond (for example, with the child). [Douglas Carlton Abrams, "The Making of a Modern Dad." Psychology Today, Mar/Apr 2002.]Fathers find many ways to bond with their children, such as soothing, consoling, feeding (expressed
breast milk ,infant formula , orbaby food ), changing diapers, bathing, dressing, playing, and cuddling. Carrying the infant in a sling or backpack or pushing him or her in ababy transport can build the bond, as can participating in the baby's bedtime routine.ee also
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Father's rights
*Human bonding
*Maternal bond
*Parental leave
*Paternity leave
*Responsible Fatherhood References
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