Although more and more people now decide not to have children, experts indicate that both men and women could increase their life up to two years if they decide to be parents.
This is indicated by a study published this week by the medical journal Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health conducted by analyzing the data of more than 1.4 million Swedes born between 1911 and 1925. Fathers could live up to two more years, while mothers, They could extend their life in 18 months.
Parents live longer
At the age of 60, the men who have children have a life expectancy of 20.2 more years, while those who do not have them, are only 18.4 years older.
In the case of women with children, at 60, they can live another 24.6 years, while women without offspring live another 23.1.
When they reach 80, fathers have a life expectancy of 7.7 years, compared to men without children, while mothers are 9.5 years older compared to women without children.
Researchers do not believe it is due to a biological cause, but that the family support network becomes crucial when parents get older. Children take care of their parents, encourage them to go to the doctor and stay active.
One of the reasons could be that parents adopt healthier living habits when living with children, as an example towards them and to avoid illnesses by being responsible for their children.
They have also observed that men with children who do not live as a couple tend to have greater life expectancy. "Probably because married men have the support and care of their spouse, while those who are not married and widowers are more dependent on their children," according to the researchers.
