Dad’s Sleeping Close to Kids Have Low Testosterone Levels

A new study in published in the Journal PloS ONE states those fathers who sleep close to their children have a greater chance of having lower testosterone levels with possible implications for parenting behaviour.

According to the report, father's testosterone levels have been associated with parenting behavior and involvement across species, with higher levels generally associated with lower parental involvement. 

The study that was conducted by Lee Gettler of the University of Notre Dame had nearly 362 fathers in the Philippines analyzed. Through the study he tried analyzing whether their sleeping arrangements such as either sleeping on the same surface as their children, in the same room, or separately, were related to their testosterone levels.

On conducting the study the researchers learnt that close sleep proximity between fathers and their children was associated with greater decreases in testosterone level. Also lowers overall levels relative to fathers that slept apart from their children.