Khaberni - If you are a father to daughters, you might be luckier than you think, not just emotionally but also health-wise. According to a recent scientific study, having daughters can play an important role in protecting fathers from dementia and maintaining brain health and memory at an advanced age.
The study, published in the Journal of Women and Ageing, found that older fathers who have daughters have stronger memory and better cognitive functions compared to fathers who only have sons. The results also indicated that parents who have raised daughters scored higher on cognitive ability tests and brain health.
Why specifically daughters?
Researchers believe that the secret lies not in the biological factor, but in the emotional and social support that daughters typically provide to their fathers and mothers in their later years.
Girls are often closer to the family in the sensitive stages of their parents' lives, providing greater emotional support, health care, continuous follow-up, and social interaction that reduces parents' feelings of isolation
These factors combined help maintain brain activity and reduce the risk of mental decline.
Stronger impact on mothers
The study suggests that the positive impact of having daughters on brain health may be stronger in elderly mothers compared to fathers, as mothers benefit significantly from the emotional bonding and social care provided by daughters.
Why is this important?
Dementia is one of the most serious and widespread diseases globally, leading to memory loss, decreased ability to think and concentrate, and difficulty communicating with others.
It can also lead to a gradual loss of independence.
With no definitive cure available to date, the importance of preventive factors such as social support, family bonding, mental activity, and reducing isolation increases.
The human relationship is not just about feelings, but it can also be a real health protection factor. According to the study, the presence of daughters in parents' lives — not only provides them with affection, but may also protect their minds and delay the risk of dementia, making daughters indeed both an emotional and health blessing.
