Report: Modern dads get cuddly with kids

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By Gabriella Boston

Today's dads are more cuddly with their children than the generation before them.

At least that's what dads are self-reporting in a new survey from Lever 2000, part of its Making Every Touch Count campaign. According to the survey, up to 84 percent of dads surveyed say they show more physical affection to their own children than their parents did with them.

The results are not surprising to Michael J. Diamond, a Los Angeles psychologist and author of "My Father Before Me: How Fathers and Sons Influence Each Other Throughout Their Lives."

"Our notion of what constitutes masculinity is changing," Mr. Diamond said.

Traditionally, hard (as in authoritarian) meant masculine, and soft (as in kind) meant feminine. But these qualities are not masculine or feminine per se, he says. They - and other qualities, including affection and intelligence - are just plain human, said Mr. Diamond.

And the modern dad embraces this notion. Just look at President Obama.

"He's an interesting role model," Mr. Diamond said. "He's involved in his family while also being competent and successful in a traditional sense."

All this is good news, says Daniel Kruger, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Michigan, as affection and involvement from dad makes a world of difference for the kids.

"We see this across species. Licking and grooming among other mammals and affection among humans are associated with good outcomes," Mr. Kruger says. "Touch releases oxytocin, the so-called 'bonding' neurotransmitter, which can provide a sense of comfort and security in kids."

But the touchy-feely parenting style that started a few decades ago is not for everyone. Among its harshest critics is John Rosemond, a psychologist, author and syndicated columnist. On his Web site, www.rosemond.com, Mr. Rosemond says the nonauthoritative parenting of today has "wreaked havoc on the family, the community and the culture."