Dad Brain by Darby Saxbe

DAD BRAIN by Darby Saxbe describes “The New Science of Fatherhood and How It Shapes Men's Lives.” Saxbe, a clinical psychologist and professor of psychology at the University of Southern California, splits her book into two sections: the Science of Fatherhood and the Practice of Fatherhood. It’s truly interesting to realize that Saxbe is “one of the only researchers in the world to have collected longitudinal neuroimaging research on men as they become fathers,” due in large part to the limited research on men as parents. Still, she points out how fatherhood can benefit society, partners, children, and the men themselves, thanks especially to greater social connection and opportunities for improved mental health. Frequently showcasing a collection of related facts, Saxbe points, for example, to research that shows younger-looking brains for both fathers and mothers and describes some theories as to why this greater cognitive functioning occurs. She offers suggestions for several areas of additional research, and I look forward to seeing more from her. An Appendix with suggested resources, plus an Index and Notes comprise close to twenty percent of the text. 

Read an excellent overview of Saxbe’s thinking in her recent opinion piece at The New York Times: “Ultimately, the traits of a good dad are also the traits of a good man: strength coupled with a willingness to look out for the young and vulnerable, to teach but also listen, to lead by example, to tackle daunting challenges and to persevere with grit.” Happy Father's Day to all!!

The Other Side of Change by Maya Shankar

THE OTHER SIDE OF CHANGE by Maya Shankar is about “Who We Become When Life Makes Other Plans.” Shankar is a cognitive scientist and neuroscience expert who describes the life altering changes faced by guests on her podcast. She notes that the book is “part narrative, and part practical guide, rooted in the latest scientific research.” Her first example (“Locked In”) involves Olivia Lewis who becomes paralyzed; it is reminiscent (as Shankar also notes) of events which impacted Jean-Dominique Bauby, author of Diving Bell and the Butterfly, as well as of Allison Pataki’s Beauty in the Broken Places about her husband’s unexpected health scare. Shankar notes how these individuals must confront what they have lost and then “experience an internal transformation that allows them to imagine new and freeing possibilities for themselves.” She also “shows how that sense of possibility can ripple outward” and includes an Appendix titled “Getting to the other side of Change: Your Change Survival Kit” where she summarizes key concepts (e.g., self-identity) from each chapter. Her bibliographic notes and references comprise an additional ten percent or so of the text. Shankar does an excellent job of weaving examples and research, but this is based on numerous conversations, sometimes covering years. I wonder how well a person in the midst of devastating change would be able to comprehend, digest, and implement (without professional guidance) the ideas from this book. THE OTHER SIDE OF CHANGE received a starred review from Booklist.

On a related note, I recently attended a conversation between Kelly Corrigan and Jennifer Breheny Wallace about Wallace's new book titled MATTERING. The event was sponsored by Family Action Network and a recording is available:

According to the publisher: Wallace argues that mattering—the feeling that we are valued and have the chance to add value—is a core human need, as essential to our well-being as food and water. ... MATTERING shows how lives are transformed when we are reminded, in small but intentional ways, that we are seen, valued, and needed. Wallace identifies the essential components of what she calls a “mattering core”: recognizing your impact, being relied on (but not too much), feeling prioritized, and being truly known and invested in. ... Wallace shows how to strengthen our own sense of mattering—and how to build cultures of mattering in our homes, workplaces, and communities—at a moment when it has never been more urgent.

The Weight of Nature by Clayton Page Aldern

Since it is Earth Day it seemed appropriate to look at a couple of new climate related texts:

THE WEIGHT OF NATURE by Clayton Page Aldern is subtitled “How a Changing Climate Changes Our Brains.” Aldern, a neuroscientist turned award-winning environmental journalist, looks at both the emotional and physical impacts on people from changes in nature. For example, he discusses PTSD triggered by more wildfires or the increased range for bats and mosquitoes (and the diseases they spread like rabies or Zika) due to higher temperatures. In addition to infection or trauma, the text explores memory, cognition, and behavior. Aldern stresses that hotter temperatures lead to more aggressiveness and make it harder to concentrate and focus. Other chapters which look at pain, sensing, and language are where he notes that “a changing climate also threatens our ability to notice some of the signals most relevant to our survival.” He describes examples of how water temperature and ocean acidification can impact crustacean olfactory systems or how pesticides “impair the homing abilities of honeybees.” Just reflect on the trees and plants in your neighborhood and how they seemed “confused” about when to bud or when to drop leaves, especially after periods of unusual cold or warmth or record-setting precipitation. Aldern documents his years of research in a section titled Notes and Further Reading which comprises roughly twenty percent of the text. Somewhat rambling in places, THE WEIGHT OF NATURE received a starred review from Kirkus (“a unique—and uniquely disturbing—addition to the literature”). 

BEFORE IT’S GONE by Jonathan Vigliotti, national correspondent for CBS News, is subtitled “Stories from the Front Lines of Climate Change in Small-Town America.” And Vigliotti does indeed write movingly about the devastation due to wildfire (and human errors) at Lahaina, Hawaii. In another section, he writes rather humorously about the “kamikaze iguanas” who in cold temperatures fall out of trees in South Florida. In short, this book is geographically and thematically all over the place. His preface (about Hawaii) and prologue (about climate change in Syria) raise some of his concerns but don’t really provide any guideposts for his readers. Then, BEFORE IT’S GONE is divided into four sections: Fire, Water, Air and Earth, although Vigliotti readily admits that “most if not all environmental disasters are fueled by more than just one element.” Yes, he introduces readers to local activists – one especially poignant section is about the increased suicide rate for farmers in Minnesota – but he does not clearly lay out a coherent argument, seemingly presenting more sensationalized (including some unnecessarily vulgar language) tales. His statistics are supported in a Notes section that is about fifteen pages. This is a widespread (“in 2021, 14.5 million American homes were affected by environmental disasters that figure works out to one in 10 homes in the country”) and expensive (“according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), between 2020 and 2023 the United States was hammered by more than eighty billion-dollar environmental disasters that destabilized highly developed communities”) issue. Perhaps attempting to personalize these trends will prompt action, but this text felt too disjointed and not focused enough on the small-town America referenced in its subtitle.

The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt

THE ANXIOUS GENERATION by Jonathan Haidt, Thomas Cooley Professor of Ethical Leadership at New York University’s Stern School of Business, explains “How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness.” I have referenced Haidt’s writings multiple times over the past few years, including his work with Jean Twenge and articles in diverse publications like The Wall Street Journal and The Atlantic. In his newest book, he focuses on Gen Z (those born after 1995) and argues that the decline in play-based childhood and its being supplanted by device-based activities have had an extremely detrimental impact on this cohort. His own summary states: “my central claim in this book is that these two trends -- overprotection in the real world and under protection in the virtual world -- are the major reasons why children born after 1995 became ‘the anxious generation’.” THE ANXIOUS GENERATION has four main parts; one looks at facts about teen mental health since 2010; another explores the changes in parenting style as it became increasingly overprotective and fearful; next, Haidt describes the ways phone-based childhood disrupts development (sleep and social deprivation, lowering attention spans; and addiction).

The final section provides research-based ideas on steps to take, especially his four “foundational” reforms: more unsupervised play; no smartphones before high school; no social media before age 16; and phone free schools. That sounds unrealistic, doesn’t it? Haidt draws on his social psychology background to explain collective action problems like the case where a few students have phones and/or social media accounts and then put pressure on their peers, who in turn pressure their parents. He cites examples of voluntary coordination like the group Wait Until 8th and advocates for technological solutions (e.g., lockable pouches, better basic phones) and increased regulation. Several chapters deal with what government, tech companies, schools, parents, and young people can do. He condenses his recommendations to Speak Up and Link Up, ironically providing many resources via an online portal: AnxiousGeneration.com.  Deeply researched and fascinating – THE ANXIOUS GENERATION will be on our shelves soon.