New York: Fathers experience more well-being and satisfaction than mothers in their parenthood and even when interacting with their children, a new study suggests.
Researchers from the University of California in the US analysed three separate studies consisting of 18,000 people that looked at the scale of happiness, psychological satisfaction, depressive symptoms and stress among others.
The first two studies compared the well-being of parents with that of people who do not have children. The third study considered parenthood and well-being while engaging in childcare or interacting with children compared to other daily activities. In all three cases, men were found to be happier.
In terms of daily interactions also men reported greater happiness. One possible explanation given said fathers were more likely to indicate they were playing with their children while they were caring for them or interacting with them as compared to the mothers.
Fathers may fare better than mothers in part due to how they spend their time with their children," said the reasearchers.