The life of dad: the making of the modern father

Becoming a father is one of most common but also one of the most profoundly life-altering experiences a man can have.

It is up there with puberty, falling in love, and experiencing your first loss.

Fifty years ago a father's role was assumed to be clear: he went to work; he provided the pay cheque; and he acted as a disciplinarian when he got home.

But today a father's role is much more fluid and complex.

Dr Anna Machin has spent the past decade working with new and expectant fathers, studying the experiences of fathers and the questions fathers have: 'Will fatherhood change me?', 'How do other men fulfil the role?', 'How can I help my child grow into a healthy, happy adult?'.

In 'The Life of Dad', Dr Machin draws on her research and the latest findings in genetics, neuroscience, and psychology to tell the story of fatherhood.