NPR did its part to advance thinking about fathers suffering from post-partum depression this week, with an “All Things Considered” story about a recent study on the subject (thanks to my father for the link).

The story, which reported on a study in the current issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, analyzed 43 previous research projects on the issue, and confirmed that about 10 percent of men whose partners are having babies suffer depression during the time period ranging from three months before the baby is born through the baby’s first birthday.

What’s interesting about this number is that it’s twice the usual rate of depression in men, and that it’s essentially in the same range as post-partum depression in women.

The new study went on to suggest that the riskiest period for the father is when the baby is 3 to 6 months old. Some of the (indirectly mentioned) culprits: Exhaustion, new financial stress, disruption in sex life.

While I found the NPR story interesting, I have to wonder how much of this is overblown (and, by extension, disrespectful to women). Let’s face it: there are biological, hormonal reasons behind post-partum depression in women. Nothing on Earth—not even a push toward something as noble as equal parenting—can create the same conditions for us guys. Instead, for men, all of the potential factors are external.

Can we men really suffer from post-partum depression? Can we legitimately equate our post-partum suffering and/or troubles to those of our wives? I think it’s a stretch; what do you think?