Romance is often described as being based on physical and emotional attraction between partners.
There are many factors that can influence these feelings over time, including parenthood. Becoming parents brings about significant changes to an individual's life, including their social, professional, and personal obligations. These changes can impact how they view themselves, others, and their relationships, which may also affect their ability to form new romantic attachments. In this article, we will explore how romantic attraction shifts with parenthood from both biological and psychological perspectives.
Biologically
The hormone oxytocin plays a key role in regulating social bonding and attachment, particularly during pregnancy and childbirth. When a woman becomes pregnant, her body produces high levels of oxytocin, which promotes maternal instincts and helps prepare her for motherhood. This hormone also increases the production of dopamine, which creates feelings of pleasure and satisfaction. After giving birth, women continue producing higher amounts of oxytocin than before pregnancy. This may make it difficult for them to feel aroused by other people besides their partner or children. At the same time, men may experience decreased testosterone levels after fatherhood, which could reduce sexual desire and motivation.
Psychologically
Parenthood requires a lot of effort, patience, sacrifice, and energy. It can take up most of a person's time and leave little room for self-care or leisure activities. As a result, couples may have less opportunities to engage in intimacy and passionate pursuits outside of parental duties. Parenthood may also alter a couple's communication style, as they become more focused on meeting their children's needs rather than each other's. This change can lead to frustration and resentment, which can negatively impact romance.
Parenthood brings about new stressors that require coping mechanisms, such as support groups or therapy. These activities can help parents reconnect with themselves and each other, but they are often unromantic.
How does romantic attraction shift with parenthood?
Romantic attraction is often one of the most intimate forms of connection between two people. It can be defined as an emotional bond that arises from mutual physical and psychological attraction towards another individual (Goldstein & Miller, 2013). Romantic relationships are characterized by intimacy, love, trust, commitment, sexual desire, and passion. Parenthood has been shown to have both positive and negative effects on romantic attraction.