Two parenting related studies published last week have caught the attention of parents everywhere. One suggests that watching cartoons or fast paced shows can have an adverse effect on your child's attention span and impulsive nature. The second found that fathers who spend more time with their children had lower testosterone levels then childless men or father who did not spend time with their children.
The first study found that four year olds who watched fast paced, scene changing cartoons for 9 1/2 minutes had shorter attention spans and were more impulsive than those who engaged in other activities. It is important to note that the effects were not long lasting and they had a rather small sample population of 60. Valid or not, there is evidence in several other studies to support the idea that watching T.V. or playing games that are fast paced does have an adverse effect on a child's attention span. This theory can be seen in the dramatic increase in ADD and ADHD in are always connected, fast paced society. Consider turning off the T.V. and video games and play a good, old fashioned board game.
I am concerned that some men are going to look at the results of the second study and decide that they need to spend less time with their children in order to preserve their manhood. Nothing can be farther from the truth. Women are much more interested in men who are comfortable enough with themselves and their masculinity to be able to display a softer side when it comes to children.
When looking at the results of studies, it is important to consider whether the results are valid. How large was the population that they studied? Was it representative of the general population? But most importantly is the knowledge that data can be manipulated to prove anything. Don't change your behavior just because a study suggests that you should, change your behavior because it makes sense for your family.
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