Men can theoretically reproduce all their lives. up to the age of 83, as shown by the case of actor Al Pacino, who is about to become a father for the fourth time at this age. A very rare choice that calls his motives into question. Decoding with an anthropologist.
A new role for actor Al Pacino. Hollywood’s most famous godfather is about to become a father for the fourth time at the age of 83. This news, completely unexpected, including for the person who will demand a DNA test from the mother-to-be, comes just a few weeks after the announcement of the seventh child of her ex-partner Robert De Niro, 79, on the set. old If there is no definition that strictly speaks of late, or even very late paternity, as here, there are many examples in the world of show business. Charlie Chaplin, Mick Jagger or even Jean-Paul Belmondo dived back into the sixties. In France, according to INSEE, a third of the 742,052 children born and recognized in 2021 are adopted by a father over 40, including 1,512 fathers over 60. Therefore, it is a very rare phenomenon, but it is possible, since in theory a man can breed throughout his life. Only becoming a father at the age society deems to be close to retirement. Who are these men who dare to take this step so late? How do they experience it? What kind of relationship do they want to have with their child? Are they afraid of becoming a burden for their child with age, of not seeing his growth?
To answer this, we contacted Anna Machin, a research fellow in evolutionary anthropology at Oxford University’s Department of Experimental Psychology. For over fifteen years, he investigated how modern fathers experience parenthood. He even made a book out of it. Become a fatherpublished by Larousse editions in 2019 Madame FigaroHe explains why some men in their 60s defend this new identity by, among other things, breaking free from the pressure of the biological clock.
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Madame Figaro.fr.- Why is being a father at an age when others find the grandparent lifestyle surprising or even disturbing?
Anna Machin.- This upsets and challenges our society’s ideas of what a father should be. We become accustomed to this spine image when we first start fatherhood in our late 30s or early 40s. Becoming a father in your 60s remains a rare, unusual phenomenon, generally seen among the rich, famous and/or powerful. De Niro, Pacino, but also Picasso, Charlie Chaplin, Mick Jagger… All these men have in common that they have achieved success and can still attract fertile women in old age.
Such an age gap between father and child can slow down as well as societal condemnation. What motivates interested men to overcome these obstacles?
We can talk about a combination of circumstances. Throughout the history of human evolution, the ability to reproduce has always been highly valued and linked to performance. Obviously, the more children you had, the better you were perceived. Which may explain why some men give in to this instinctive biological need to reproduce and renew reproductive success when they can. Especially since these men are being helped to achieve this on a biological level. They do not experience the same decline in fertility that women experienced during menopause, nor are they affected by the risks associated with late childbearing. And if they are in a relationship with a younger woman, as is often the case, then the desire to start a family may appear stronger due to the motivation of the partner. Some of the men I was able to interview during my investigation also explained to me that they waited to meet the right person to take action.
Becoming a father after 60 remains a rare phenomenon, mostly seen among the rich, famous and/or powerful.
Anna Machin, researcher in evolutionary anthropology
Behind this desire for fatherhood in the over-60s isn’t there a desire to restart the counter from scratch? To rejuvenate themselves by taking on the role of a “young” dad, or even to protect themselves from their impending mortality?
No data support this hypothesis, but it can be assumed in men who believe that their masculinity nourishes their identity or enhances their ego. But this reflection does not seem to be in the minority.
By being freed from the biological clock, can we imagine that it is also easier for them to project their late fatherhood?
Absolutely. In their eyes, fatherhood is not a physical limitation and poses little risk, except that their child does not grow up. Contrary to popular belief, many people believe that this parenthood comes at a certain point in their lives because they are financially and professionally stable, even at the peak of their careers. The pressure of success is behind them, leaving them plenty of time to devote more to their offspring.
How do they understand their relationship with the child, the age difference, the possibility of being a burden for the child in case of an illness related to old age?
This question of their own mortality is central to their concerns. Of course, many of them are terrified of this fateful moment. Some fear they won’t live long enough to see the baby grow. Others care about living as healthy a lifestyle as possible and are more into maintaining their physical shape to last as long as possible.
In their eyes, fatherhood is not a physical limitation and poses little risk, except that their child does not grow up.
Anna Machin, researcher in evolutionary anthropology
When the baby arrives, how do they experience this late parenthood?
Most of them are doing very well. This is due to their previous experience. Many have already had children and see this new baby as another opportunity for good and good things.
Source: Le Figaro
