#Familypolicy

A wave of new research is reshaping what we know about fatherhood, suggesting that men’s brains undergo measurable, dynamic changes when they become parents—changes often echoing those long attributed to mothers. For Thai families watching the shifting roles of men in parenting and policymakers focused on child development, these findings open remarkable new windows into the neurobiology of caregiving and challenge prevailing cultural stereotypes.

Until recently, the concept of “mom brain” reigned supreme in popular culture and scientific study. Defined by both cognitive shifts and an emotional attunement toward a new child, much has been made about the brain and hormonal changes mothers experience. However, a growing body of work, including the latest research led by a US-based psychology professor at the University of Southern California, finds that becoming a father sparks a unique neurological and hormonal transformation—a phenomenon now being described as “dad brain” (wbur.org).

The world’s rapidly declining birth rates have ignited a cultural, political, and economic debate that has reached new prominence in 2025. Concerns surrounding fertility decline, its impacts on social structures, and emerging “pronatalist” movements—those actively promoting higher birth rates—have transitioned from quieter academic discussions to mainstream headlines in Thailand and beyond. The issue isn’t simply statistical: it touches on the future of economies, generational care, cultural norms, and even environmental discussions, prompting stakeholders across the globe to rethink whether “more babies” is the solution to looming demographic challenges.

In Sweden, a new archetype of masculinity is turning heads from Bangkok to New York: the “latte dad.” Sporting baby carriers and sipping cappuccinos at city cafes, these modern fathers devote generous government-paid time off to hands-on parenting, challenging gender norms and inspiring global curiosity. American mothers, facing the stark realities of a two-week maternity leave, are expressing envy at this Swedish phenomenon where fathers spend upward of a year at home with their newborns, strolling through city parks as beacons of positive masculinity and family engagement (New York Post).

A generational shift in attitudes toward parenthood among millennials is attracting global attention, with experts debating whether today’s young adults are “childless” by circumstance or proudly “child free” by choice. A recent series of opinion letters in The New York Times highlights the nuanced perspectives within this ongoing discussion, reflecting broader societal changes and raising important questions about the future of family, well-being, and society both in the United States and around the world, including Thailand. In examining the latest research and public debate, it becomes clear that decision-making on children among millennials is far more complex than previously assumed, as economic concerns, cultural values, and social expectations all play pivotal roles (New York Times).

A wave of new research is challenging long-held beliefs about the vows that bind couples—especially the promise to remain united “in sickness and in health.” Recent findings, published in the Journal of Marriage and Family and reported by Psychology Today in May 2025, reveal a surprising and deeply concerning trend: women who fall ill in their 50s and early 60s face a far greater risk of divorce than their male counterparts (psychologytoday.com). For Thailand—a country with a rapidly aging population and shifting social values—this revelation strikes at the heart of family resilience and gender equity.

A rising tide of modern parenting is directly challenging the physical and verbal punishment of children, igniting new debates about child rights, parental stress, and the legal status of corporal punishment worldwide—including in England, where the issue has come under fresh scrutiny. As discussion grows following high-profile endorsements of gentle, respectful parenting, Thai families and policymakers may find themselves reflecting on the country’s own traditions, laws, and cultural attitudes toward discipline.

A recently published European study has uncovered a deeply troubling trend in the world of late-life divorce: when wives in middle-aged marriages fall ill, the risk of divorce significantly increases, while the same does not hold true if it is the husband who becomes unwell. This discovery, revealed in February 2025 research appearing in the Journal of Marriage and Family and spotlighted in a widely-discussed article in Psychology Today, points to a persistent imbalance in marital roles and expectations that continue to shape the intimate lives of older adults across the globe—including in Thailand.

In a groundbreaking push for gender equality and better parental support, British fathers are being urged to join the world’s first “Dad strike”, amplifying demands for more generous paternity leave in the United Kingdom, where statutory provisions remain among the lowest in Europe. The movement is set to culminate in a public protest with fathers and their babies outside the Department for Business and Trade in London on June 11, aiming to pressure the government into reforming policies for dads and non-birthing partners. The campaign reflects growing international attention to the critical role of fathers in early childhood and the wider debate about work-life balance amid changing social norms.

A powerful new wave of research and personal accounts is shining a spotlight on a persistent and striking divide: while European countries embrace children and families in nearly every sphere of life, American society remains hobbled by policies and attitudes that seem, at best, indifferent—and at worst, openly hostile—to children’s needs. The consequences reach far beyond inconvenience for parents, rippling through childhood development, public health, and even social cohesion.

This conversation about child-friendliness erupted once again following a viral first-person essay in Salon by a Philadelphia-based mother who described her travels through Berlin, London, and Dublin, highlighting the profound differences between Europe and the United States in daily life with children. Her observations draw attention to issues confirmed by social science research, expert commentary, and decades of comparative policy analysis.