• Parenthood seen as ‘an independent factor’ to marriage in decreasing risky behaviours

by Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 7:51 AM on 9th November 2011

Time for a change: while previous studies have shown how marriage can effect a man’s negative behaviour, this is the first to isolate the additional impact of fatherhood

Becoming a father really can help men ditch terrible habits, a study has found.

Men who become dads for the first time tend to steer away tobacco, alcohol even crime, say researchers from Oregon State University.

The conclusions were drawn from a 19-year study of more than 200 at-risk boys aged between 12 and 31 looking at how their anti-social behaviour changed over time.

while previous studies have shown how marriage can effect a man’s negative behaviour, this is the first toisolate the additional impact of fatherhood.

Lead researcher David Kerr, said: ‘This research suggests that fatherhood can be a transformative experience, even for men engaging in high risk behaviour.’

He added that parenthood – in addition to adulthood – could be seen as ‘an independent factor in predicting decreases in crime, alcohol and tobacco use.’

The findings, published in the Journal of Marriage and Family also highlight how men who become fathers in their late 20s and early 30s show a greater willingness to embrace fatherhood and shed negative lifestyle choices compared with men who father children in their teens.

This study supports precious research underscoring key periods when men from disadvantaged backgrounds may be ripe for intervention or rehabilitation. 

Mr Kerr said: ‘This presents a unique window of opportunity for intervention, because new fathers might be especially willing and ready to hear a more positive message and make behavioural changes.’

‘This kind of change could have important health consequences for men and for their families.’

A University of Warwick study found smoking behaviour changes among fathers of new infants.

The 2005 study of 286 smoking fathers with infants aged between eight to 14 weeks ancient showed that the the birth of a new baby was not associated with attempting or successfully quitting smoking for the majority of men but not smoking in the home appeared to be a more achievable behaviour.

Less than 20 per cent had tried to quit and only 4 per cent had successfully quit smoking since the birth of their baby but 78 per cent had attempted and 60 per cent had successfully managed not to smoke in the home.

Fatherhood maketh the man: Smoking, alcohol even crime all drop in men who become dads