One Way to Make Sure Your Daughter Doesn't Date Before Age 25

This is interesting yet sort of quick-inducing: A biological father's pheremones may delay the onset of puberty in his daughters:

Researchers, including Elizabeth Susman, the Jean Phillips Shibley professor of biobehavioral health at Penn State, collected menarcheal data from 1,938 college students to explore the link between girls' social environment and their sexual maturity. The data included information on factors such as the girls' family size, social environment, and how long the father had been absent.

"Our results indicate that girls without fathers matured approximately three months before girls whose fathers were present," Matchock said, adding that the data seem to suggest a relationship between length of the father's absence and age of menarche – the earlier the absence, the earlier the menarche.

Results from the study additionally suggest that the presence of half and step-brothers was also linked to earlier menarche. Girls living in an urban environment also had earlier menarche compared to girls in a rural environment, even when fathers were present for both groups, and had similar levels of education.

I'm around, we're living in a rural area, and I'm a stay-at-home dad. Hmmmm.

Really, I don't know why I blogged this. It's just freaking me out even thinking about it.

Written by johnmscalzi Blog about this entry

This entry has 5 comments: (Add your own)

#5 Comment from monponsett
9/12/06 1:14 PM | Permalink

The front page of this study was a drawing of a father chasing a teen boy through the back yard with a shotgun while his daughter stood in the doorway, wrapped in a blanket.

We've already discussed matters like these in the Monponsett household, and our oldest daughter is four.

My husband has this issue covered. He's a pretty big guy who is of the opinion that his daughters will be treated by all with nothing but the utmost decency, and- while he didn't mention it specifically- it may be why we have a mace over the fireplace.

Having a huge man in the house is always a good thing. I'd really hate to be the kid who brings Gabrielle home an hour late.
#4 Comment from nicurnmama
9/12/06 12:50 PM | Permalink

it's okay, john. you're a dad, you can't help it. actually i imagine that any future boyfriends will have a tough go at it because athena has such a great dad. these poor boys actually have to measure up to you! i see this with darling daughter #1 and her romantic encounters. she is pretty tough on them expecting them to measure up to dear old dad, in her eyes, the ultimate great guy.
laura
#3 Comment from princesssaurora
9/12/06 12:18 PM | Permalink

I think this may alternately freak out and make my hubby thrilled!! lol

be well,
Dawn

http://journals.aol.com/princesssaurora/CarpeDiem/
#2 Comment from joolsinwa
9/12/06 11:57 AM | Permalink

why does the female maturing bother dads so much?? My hubby remarks about our daughter, OMG "she's "got stuff", I see it too but it doesn't bother me, lol, just life! Guys are soooo weird!
#1 Comment from coelha
9/12/06 11:56 AM | Permalink

I can understand your concern. Just stay where you are and don't move for the next, say..20 years or longer. Better yet, just be there for your daughter forever. I wouldn't worry---it's always hard letting go. Kids grow up too fast--especially little girls!! Julie

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One Way to Make Sure Your Daughter Doesn't Date Before Age 25