It is quite usual in our society for the mother to be the primary caregiver to a newborn baby, toddlers and kids. That is not to say that fathers are absent, but the stereotype of Super Mom has been created by a general tendency to place fathers in the workforce and mothers in the home. In 2022, the US Census Bureau reported that 1 in 4 children in the US grow up without a biological, step, or adoptive father in the home– that amounts to 18.4 Million children!
The National Fatherhood Initiative reports several negative effects associated with paternal absence in the home, some of which include:
- 4x greater risk of poverty for the family
- Children are more likely to have behavioral problems, which may lead to them dropping out of school, teen pregnancies, imprisonment, drug and alcohol abuse, commiting crimes etc.
- Greater chances of facing emotional neglect and abuse.
On the other hand, a father’s active and involved presence in the home can mean a strong foundation for the well-being of the children, including some of the following advantages:
- Lower rates of injuries, emotional and behavioral problems, and obesity
- The chances of low birth weight and infant mortality significantly decrease as well
- School performance is increased
In 2017, King’s College London and Oxford University Researchers found that actively involved fathers, and especially those who contribute in their childs’ life in the first few months, are providing significant developmental advantages to their children. Involved fathers positively impact their children’s cognitive functioning, improve breastfeeding rates, and even help preterm infants gain healthy weight. High levels of father involvement correlate with higher levels of social confidence, good social skills, self-control, and overall boosted emotional well-being. Such as the negative effects of fatherly absence persist into adulthood, so do the positive effects of fatherly involvement: the presence of both parents leads to adult children who are more emotionally mature, and better equipped to make mature and wise decisions in their teenage and young adult years.
It is important to remember that it is the quality and not the quantity of paternal involvement that can have a great effect on children’s lives: non-resident fathers can still have a great impact on the psychological and mental well being of their children, as well as on their academic achievements and behavioral adjustments. Children with actively involved fathers are more likely to perform better in school, and to follow through with their college and graduate education. Even more specifically, father involvement shows reduced risk for behavioral problems and delinquency in boys, and reduced risk of psychological problems and rates of depression in young women.
https://www.all4kids.org/news/blog/a-fathers-impact-on-child-development/
https://www.fatherhood.org/father-absence-statistic
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By Iris Farrou
05 Aug, 2022
Geriatric Mental Health, Lifestyle Tips, Mental Health, Prevention, Uncategorized, Women's Health
aging parents, Depression, Depression symptoms, Elderly, Geriatric, isolation, Loneliness, Mental Health, Socialization
Our physical and mental health is directly connected to regular, healthy, and enjoyable
socialization with friends and family, colleagues, people who share our hobbies and interests…
With COVID-19 severely affecting our socialization levels, many found themselves with
increased loneliness, anxiety, and depression—thus bringing down their immune system and
overall physical health. However, it is a harsh truth that elders suffered from isolating and social
distancing extremely more than younger people.
Unfortunately, elder isolation and loneliness is not solely a COVID-related phenomenon. A
study by UCSF found that more than 40% of seniors regularly experience loneliness. The same
study also drew direct connections between loneliness, serious health issues, and death among
the elderly population. One can only imagine how much worse this got during COVID isolation.
Health Issues
Individuals with low social interaction levels are more likely to suffer from anxiety and
depression, and experts have found direct links between loneliness and suicide. Senior
individuals with limited social lives have also been found to suffer from worsened dementia and
Alzheimer’s disease—or rapid progression compared to elders with a rich social life—coronary
artery disease, heart failure, and increased risk of stroke.
Benefits of Socialization
The good news is that socializing helps combat most, if not all, of the health issues loneliness
creates. A social life can benefit elders because it:
- Increases mental awareness: when we interact with others, we remain connected to the
outside world and keep our cognitive abilities sharpened. After all, the brain is a muscle.
- Fights anxiety and depression: though these may be chronic conditions, socializing helps
keep anxiety and depression at bay—especially if both are related to ageing. At the very
least, it proves that others care and helps build a community.
- Support system: elder socialization reminds us there is a community of same-aged
people, as well as friends and family, who are present for emotional and physical help.
- Physical discomfort relief: though physical pain can be very sharp, socialization provides
a break from a lonely routine, gets us going, and takes our mind off of aches—even for a
little while.
Overall, elder socialization not only creates a healthier quality of life and has the potential to
extend life. With technology seniors can be closer to their loved ones much more easily: daily
use of social media, adopting a pet for companionship, utilizing companion services, trying to
enjoy meals socially, participating in local activities (if possible) and ensuring reliable
transportation are just some of the ways that eliminate elder social isolation.
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By Iris Farrou
05 Aug, 2022
Health Conditions and Pregnancy, Lifestyle Tips, Pregnancy, Prevention, Reproductive health, Uncategorized
Autoimmune, Common pregnancy complications, Disease Modifying Therapy, DMTs, Healthy Pregnancy with MS, MS, Multiple Sclerosis, Pregnancy
What is it?
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, mainly
the brain and the spinal cord. Like most autoimmune conditions, research remains inconclusive
on what causes it, other than: antibodies attack healthy tissue. In MS, your body attacks the
myelin sheath: the wiring protecting your nerve cells. This damage causes messages from your
brain to the rest of your body to slow down, or completely stop. Most common treatment for MS
is a Disease Modifying Therapy (DMT), tailored to the patient’s needs and the severity of the
condition.
DMTs and Pregnancy
Women who have been diagnosed with MS and are thinking of becoming pregnant have likely
been told that most DMTs are not safe to use during pregnancy. One of the most common
concerns with stopping DMTs is the risk of relapse after pregnancy. In fact, medical
professionals suggest you stop the therapy altogether once you embark on your pregnancy
journey.
Another research, however, has found that 12% of its women participants were taking a
DMT during the first trimester. This lowered to 3% of participants by the third trimester. This is
not to say that use of DMTs during pregnancy is safe, but it does point to the need for further
research.
What should I expect?
It’s common that during pregnancy most autoimmune diseases—including MS—quiet down:
you may not experience as many symptoms, or your symptoms may lessen. Researchers believe
this is due to the hormones your body produces during pregnancy.
There is no evidence MS causes any miscarriages, stillbirths, or congenital malfunctions. Some
research suggests that premature labor and the risk of infections have been found to be slightly
higher in women with MS. Your doctor may suggest closer monitoring of your pregnancy, more
prenatal visits, and further tests to ensure your health. It’s possible you may need to consider a
C-section, especially if your MS symptoms affect your pelvic muscles and nerves.
What about relapse?
Research has found that the risk of relapse is relatively low during pregnancy. However, it can be
treated with corticosteroids which are generally known to be safe during the first and second
trimester.
After giving birth, studies have found an increased chance of relapse in the first three months. A
significant factor is the stability of the disease prior to pregnancy, and it is used to reduce this
risk. Similar to use of corticosteroids, if you are thinking of breastfeeding, remember that DMTs
can also pass through breastmilk—their use is not recommended if you will be breastfeeding.
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