ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the thoughts of fathers concerning the relationships between fathering and perceived changes in health over time. Many fathers discussed improvements in their diets, reduction of harmful habits, increased access and use of health services, and reductions in risk-taking behavior. On the other hand, fathers attributed decreased exercise, lack of sleep, and increased stress to fathering. Fathers recognize that they need to have their lives in line with what they can require of their children in regard to modeling appropriate health practices. Men who smoked heavily before having children either seriously curtailed levels of tobacco use, stopped smoking in cars or other enclosed spaces while with others, or quit altogether. Roger indicated the central importance of health care coverage in the benefits package and its role in his decision making regarding work. Balance issues were reflected in subtle ways in regard to perceived relations between fathering and health.
