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Older fathers have 'geekier sons'

bbc.co.uk

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Re: Older fathers have 'geekier sons'

#21

Post by cbanek »

chongli wrote: post #18
cbanek wrote: post #16

I'm seriously confused on this. First, the article throws out some very reasonable sounding things, like older dads are more established and stable parents. This seems totally legit. Then they start talking of a 'geek gene' that gets passed down by dads as they get older? That seems ridiculous to me. We don't even know how general intelligence works on a genetic level. Overall, I feel like we put way too much stock i…

Then they start talking of a 'geek gene' that gets passed down by dads as they get older? That seems ridiculous to me. We don't even know how general intelligence works on a genetic level. That's a bit silly. Far more plausible is the supposition I will make here: geeky guys are less likely to be teenage fathers and geekiness is generally heritable. There, no epigenetic assumption necessary.

If by 'heritable' you mean 'learned behavior' then I'd agree.

Re: Older fathers have 'geekier sons'

#22

Post by cnnsucks »

rocktronica wrote: post #3

Sure seems like correlation to me. Older fathers are more likely to have established careers, establishing higher socioeconomic status, affording a lifestyle that engenders "geekiness".

This could be down to older fathers having more basements, garages and tools. There are fewer degrees of freedom when you live in a drywall and carpet apartment.

Re: Older fathers have 'geekier sons'

#23

Post by manyoso »

cbanek wrote: post #16

I'm seriously confused on this. First, the article throws out some very reasonable sounding things, like older dads are more established and stable parents. This seems totally legit. Then they start talking of a 'geek gene' that gets passed down by dads as they get older? That seems ridiculous to me. We don't even know how general intelligence works on a genetic level. Overall, I feel like we put way too much stock i…

Almost every study on early childhood development and later outcomes shows that how a child is raised has very little to do with outcomes compared to heredity.

https://www.vox.com/2015/8/11/9127769/parenting-advice-worth...

https://www.vox.com/2015/3/31/8320233/time-spent-with-kids

http://quillette.com/2016/01/19/heritability-and-why-parents...

Re: Older fathers have 'geekier sons'

#24

Post by jxramos »

olewhalehunter wrote: post #9
rocktronica wrote: post #3

Sure seems like correlation to me. Older fathers are more likely to have established careers, establishing higher socioeconomic status, affording a lifestyle that engenders "geekiness".

https://www.autismspeaks.org/science/science-news/study-ties... "In the study population, advancing paternal age was associated with increased risk of some psychiatric disorders (eg, autism..."

I remember a Stanford professor dived into this advanced age gamete suboptimality and stressed to everyone the compromises folks take in delaying past prime biological stages. He showed some time profiles of the diminishing chances for implantation, genetic disorders, etc. It was really palpable because you could sense he was a bit off balance having to present this sort of news to a bunch of young folks with the fountain of youth in their back pockets. The classmates were pretty much silent throughout the delivery. It got me to start thinking about biological optimum and I easily realized it was in the 20s as one would expect. All nighters were a piece of cake, probably to serve the care of an infant waking every 2 hours into the early hours of the night. Another piece of easily perceived evidence was the sheer force of the libido at that age and just how attractive women are in their peak. Lots of conspiring biology to contemplate teleologically.

Re: Older fathers have 'geekier sons'

#26

Post by pbhjpbhj »

geekierkid wrote: post #7

Makes sense, older fathers would be more aware of how technology changes the word and how necessary having at least an understanding of tech is to their offspring's future success.

Assuming we're all talking solely tech-geek then I'd posit that older fathers are going to be more out of touch with modern tech; which doesn't show anything in itself.

The might however have more disposable cash, did they control for wealth?

Re: Older fathers have 'geekier sons'

#27

Post by magic_beans »

samirillian wrote: post #12
rocktronica wrote: post #3

Sure seems like correlation to me. Older fathers are more likely to have established careers, establishing higher socioeconomic status, affording a lifestyle that engenders "geekiness".

It would also seem that they're less likely to play sports with their children. I wonder if there's a way to isolate athleticism from geekiness.

Plenty of men with single mothers* learn to play sports just fine (see many NBA and NFL players).

*This is not to say that women don't play sports with their sons, but to say that it's silly to assume that all young fathers play sports with their sons.

Re: Older fathers have 'geekier sons'

#30

Post by Retric »

magic_beans wrote: post #27
samirillian wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It would also seem that they're less likely to play sports with their children. I wonder if there's a way to isolate athleticism from geekiness.

Plenty of men with single mothers* learn to play sports just fine (see many NBA and NFL players). *This is not to say that women don't play sports with their sons, but to say that it's silly to assume that all young fathers play sports with their sons.

All is not necessary for statistical correlations.
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