Although parenting doesn't stop when a mother goes to prison, the Ohio Reformatory for Women is one of very few prisons that addresses this problem. It has a program for non-violent, short-term offenders, who are pregnant or have infants. These mothers live in a special wing of the prison, where they're able to have their babies with them in their cells. Between prison roll calls these women are able to take their babies to an in-house nursery for parenting classes and other scheduled activities. It's hoped that programs like this will make it less likely mothers will commit other crimes. It's hoped that more family bonds will mean fewer jail bonds.

Unfortunately, family bonds don't prevent fathers from suffering postpartum depression. According to U.S. studies, 1/4 of new dads experience feeling of sadness and worthlessness, as well as loss of interest in sex and hobbies, soon after their babies are born. Although sleep deprivation is thought to be a factor, postpartum depressed dads also experience a decrease in testosterone and an increase in estrogen. Because there's no medical explanation for this, psychologists theorize it's caused by feelings similar to sympathy pains. In fact, having a partner with postpartum depression doubles the likelihood the dad will have it too. Depression, no matter what the cause, needs professional treatment. These dads need to understand it can't be walked off.

The American Academy of Pediatrics wants all parents to understand that young children shouldn't have exotic pets - and chicks, hamsters, hedgehogs, lizards and turtles are considered exotic. These animals carry dangerous and potentially deadly germs. Eleven percent of salmonella in children is caused by contact with reptiles. Chicks and hamsters also carry the salmonella germ and hedgehogs carry bacteria that cause fever, stomach pain and rash. Children under 5 are particularly at risk because of their underdeveloped immune systems and their propensity to put their hands in their mouths - to which parents need to pay pet-icular attention.

Attention should also be paid to new research done by sociologists at Florida State University. A study of 13,000 adults found that parents aren't happier than childless adults. Not only does the parents' depression increase with each child they have, but it doesn't get better when the children move out. Because there doesn't appear to be a cure for this parenting phenomenon, maybe every child should send their parents sympathy cards on Mother's and Father's Day.

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Tags: humor, women, men, parenting, culture and society