New fathers experience a 30–35% drop in testosterone—especially those who co-sleep or spend 3+ hours daily caregiving.
Steven Bartlett and Erica Komisar unpack a Philippines longitudinal study (624 men, 5 years) showing:
- Newly partnered fathers see significantly steeper testosterone declines than single non-fathers.
- More involved dads (childcare time & co-sleeping) have even lower levels.
- Evolutionary angle: Shift from mating drive to nurturing investment.
- Nuance: A moderate dip is “fine” for bonding, but big/sustained drops could affect energy, mood, and relationship satisfaction.
Komisar: “You still need testosterone for a satisfying relationship with your wife… A healthy man would say ‘that’s enough.’ A less healthy man might go elsewhere.”
Biological trade-off or modern parenting challenge?
What stands out to you—the testosterone drop, the caregiving link, or the “healthy vs. less healthy” take?
Richard Nixon's brutal truth on happiness that hits harder in 2026:
"The unhappiest people in the world are those in the watering places—south coast of France, Newport, Palm Springs, Palm Beach—parties every night, golf every afternoon, bridge, too much drinking, too much talking, too little thinking. Retired, no purpose."
He saw it decades ago: Endless leisure without struggle isn't paradise—it's a slow death of meaning.
"What makes life mean something is purpose, a goal, the battle, the struggle—even if you don't win it."
In an age of quiet quitting, early retirement dreams, and infinite scrolling... Nixon reminds us: The fight is what keeps the soul alive.
What keeps you in the "battle" right now—even when it's exhausting?
The sats are flowing!
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