Peggy Sanday’s study of 186 hunter-gatherer cultures found that when men are involved in the care of their own infants the cultures do not make war. This greater involvement of men with their babies may eventually contribute to a more peaceful world. That thought makes me optimistic.
John Gottman
Psychologist; Founder of Gottman Institute;
Author (with Julie Gottman), And Baby Makes Three
It may be so, but it’s hard to see how this is playing out, for instance, in the United States. In my neighbourhood it is the fathers whom you see pushing their babies in their strollers. Yet the culture in most international situations is to think of using force first (or at the least, threats of force), and leave diplomacy for the wimps. Or is that attitude of mind just among the neanderthals who wouldn’t dream of helping around the house, let alone get involved with the kids? Just asking. It seems we have a way to go.