This Child Is Mine. Don’t You Even Think About Messing With Him!
The ‘maternal instinct’ in dads drives them berserk.
We always write about maternal instinct, but we read less about paternal instinct. Although, the medium community shows that there are obviously many loving and caring fathers of today who play a vital role in the lives of their children, e.g., Ryan Glenn Christopher Robin Paulo Costeri Tom Fenske Carlos Garbiras ScienceDuuude Sylvia Emokpae’s husband Ashley Sole, who seem to have a deep and powerful attachment to their children. But does ‘paternal instinct’ exist?
Fathers of today can feel this undeniable bond too
Yes, it’s a fact: fathers can‘t feel their baby growing inside their womb or enjoy the experience of breastfeeding. However, this doesn’t prevent them from feeling the powerful need to protect their children. Modern-day fathers, like my husband, take care, nurture, and feel this undeniable bond.
You don’t want to mess with that guy, do you?
Recently, whilst we were crossing the street pushing the stroller, a car appeared at full speed. If it wouldn't have been for my husband’s reflex to pull the stroller, we may have ended up in hospital.
He shouted and yelled. To be honest, I was impressed by his emotional reaction because this wasn’t typical of his kind of personality.
My husband has a reputation as a gentle, caring dad and a calm person who hates all kinds of conflicts and arguments. Normally, he never uses swear words.
The ‘maternal instinct’ in dads drives them berserk.
Once my husband calmed down we started thinking about what had happened. We found out, that this wasn’t a classical ‘fight reflex’. Our lives hadn’t been in danger. But our child's life had. At the same time, it was clearly the amygdala, the center of fear and aggression, that kicked in. And then struck him — the maternal, or let’s call it ‘paternal instinct’.
The ‘maternal instinct’ in dads drives them berserk
As you may know, all children are born ‘early’. They are born vulnerable, completely immature. Our little ones couldn’t survive without our help. The brain isn’t fully developed at birth. 70 percent of its growth happens outside the womb.
Therefore, evolution has put a ‘light switch’ in our brain that only switches on when we have children — or at least take care of them. That ‘switch’ is located in the limbic amygdala. That part of the brain is responsible for many of our judgments, e.g. discerning between friend or foe. Moreover, it’s responsible for ‘territorial power games’ and therefore triggers stress.
My husband may have thought: ‘This child is mine. Don’t you even think about messing with him?’ In order to keep their children safe, the ‘switch’ drives fathers berserk. And enables them to face much bigger and stronger opponents.
My Take Away
- Maybe you’ve already witnessed wildlife documentaries where desperate mothers or fathers protect their offspring from predators.
- Recent research has shown that human beings, both male and female, have a ‘switch’.
- In order to keep our children safe, the ‘switch’ drives fathers berserk😤.
- At least I know that my husband does have a ‘switch’😆😡.
How about you? Have you ever felt that parental instinct to protect your child against a potential danger😤?
Please share your story. I would love to hear from you.
Let’s get relational tags:
Michael Burg, MD Ryan DeJonghe John Walter 📣 Akos Peterbencze Thomas Camden Anshuman G. Karmelina Husejnovic Karen Schwartz Joanne Reed Patricia Rosa Rice & Beans Gianfranco Vigneri Jack Calhoun Mia Z. Edwards Joepar Samantha Drobac Susan Poole Dennis De Silva Erin Hendriksen