What’s New at Power of Two
September 1, 2024Love on the Brain
Love and connection shape our brain and overall well-being. At Power of Two, we see the power of love every day—in the bond between caregivers and children, in community partnerships, and in the generosity of our supporters.
The Biology of Love
This February, we explored how our brains and bodies are wired for connection during our monthly Science Chat Friday.
Some key points from the research shared and discussion that followed:
- The Love Hormone: Known as the “love hormone,” oxytocin is crucial for bonding, trust, and social memory. It’s released during physical touch, childbirth, and even simple acts of affection. Research shows that parents with higher oxytocin levels engage in more nurturing behaviors and more bonding activities increase oxytocin production. Also, foster parents develop oxytocin-driven bonds with their children.
- Parenting and the Brain: Parenting reshapes the brain. Mothers experience heightened activation in the brain’s reward system, reinforcing attachment to their babies. Meanwhile, new fathers see structural changes, including lower testosterone and increased empathy-related activity.
- Social Buffering Hypothesis: Strong social relationships act as a protective barrier, mitigating the negative effects of stressful experiences. A study found that women experiencing mild electric shocks felt less pain when holding their partner’s hand—especially if they had a strong, secure bond.
From parent-child love to romantic relationships, science shows love isn’t just an emotion—it’s biological.
What We’re Watching: The Wild Robot
In the film The Wild Robot, viewers follow Roz, a robot, in her journey of growing into a caregiver role, navigating what it means to provide for and protect a young gosling, Brightbill. Viewers follow Roz go against her programming to nurture, bond with, and support the development of Brightbill in order to ensure his survival into adulthood. At its core, The Wild Robot is a film about how anyone can be a primary caregiver to a little one and the challenges that come with it.
At Power of Two, we support all kinds of parents with tools to strengthen their bonds with their babies.
What We’re Reading: The Lasting Impact of Parent-Child Bonds
A new study published in Communications Psychology explores how the quality of parent-child relationships shapes well-being into adulthood. Researchers Jonathan T. Rothwell and Telli Davoodi analyzed data from 21 countries and found a pattern: strong, positive relationships with parents during childhood are linked to greater happiness, life satisfaction, and mental health in adulthood.
This study reinforced an important truth—healthy parent-child connections set the foundation for long-term emotional well-being. It’s a powerful reminder that the way we communicate, resolve conflicts, and express love within our families has lasting effects.
Read more about this here: Medical Xpress