A new Child Trends publication examines the link between pregnancy intentions for first-time fathers and later co-parenting behaviors, such as joint decision-making between parents regarding the child. "Pregnancy Intentions During the Transition to Parenthood and Links to Coparenting for First Time Fathers of Infants,"
The study, finds that unwanted or mistimed pregnancy is associated with higher levels of depression among fathers and with lower mother-father relationship happiness. These factors, in turn, are associated with poorer co-parenting, lower levels of support between mother and father, and higher co-parental conflict when children are infants.