Things We Can Only Inherit From Our Dads
By Nick Hadji
11 months ago
1. Your biological sex
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It is common knowledge, that we inherit half of our D.N.A from our Dad, and the other half from our Mom. However, there are certain characteristics and traits that are determined by our Dad's genetic makeup. One of those being: your biological sex. Whether you're assigned male or female at birth, is all down to your father's chromosomes. The 'deciding' genetics are dominant, and will overpower the recessive genes (that are often part of your mother's genetic makeup), and this is what determines your biological sex.Original content sourced from Femanin.com2. Height
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The next thing inherited from your dad, is your height. So, if you have a tall father, you will more than likely be tall, and vice versa. However, there are some rare cases of a child being significantly shorter than other family members e.g. dwarfism, or being tall enough to tower over all of their families (usually from a very young age). There have also been cases of children having two short parents, and inheriting a 'tall' gene, or having two tall parents and inheriting a 'short' gene. But, you can usually determine your height, by looking at your dad.3. Y-Linked inheritance
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This next point only applies to males. Y-linked inheritance, refers to any possible conditions that may run in your family, and are often passed down genetically. These conditions include, but aren't restricted to: dwarfism, cerebral palsy, Down's syndrome, deafness, blindness and autism. The genetic makeup of these conditions are carried within the Y chromosomes, if you are male, and will be passed down from your father's D.N.A nine-times-out-of-ten. Some of these conditions can be highlighted during pregnancy, and parents can be give suitable support if they decide to carry the pregnancy to term.4. X-Linked inheritance
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This next point only applies to females. X-linked inheritance, refers to any possible genetic conditions, that are passed down within your family. Similarly to the last point, these conditions can include, but aren't restricted to: dwarfism, cerebral palsy, Down's syndrome, cystic fibrosis, deafness, blindness and autism. The genetic makeup of these conditions will be carried within the X chromosomes, if you're female, and will carried by your father nine-times-out-of-ten. Luckily, the majority of these conditions can be highlighted during pregnancy, and provides the parents with the choice of carrying the pregnancy to term, or not.5. Fat storage
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The way your body stores fat has a lot more to do with your genetics, that you may think. Your fat storage is determined by your father's genetics, and being aware of this, can allow you to eat and exercise appropriately for your target areas. For example, if your dad holds his fat mainly in his stomach and back, then you're more than likely going to have the same areas of fat storage. Although this aspect of your body can come from both your mother and father, it's your father's genes that determine it.6. Crooked teeth
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Having crooked teeth is also inherited from your dad, as your overall bone structure is determined (mainly) by your dad's dominant genes (so this includes your skull and teeth). Having crooked teeth isn't the end of the world, as there are many ways to correct them, if that's what you wish to do e.g. aligners, braces, Invisalign etc. In some severe cases, there is no option but to remove some milk (baby) and/or adult teeth, as they cause an individual constant pain and overall discomfort day-to-day.7. Dimples
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Dimples are a facial feature that differ from person-to-person, with some people having very defined dimples, and others not really having them at all. Again, this is inherited from your dad's genetics, and their prominence can be determined by looking at your dad's (possible) dimples. If both your parents have dimples, you're more than likely to have quite prominent dimples. Unfortunately, you cannot decide on the prominence of your dimples, and there are no ways to medically enhance them (if that's what you want).8. Fingerprints
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Now, you would think that your fingerprints would be an equal mix of both your parents' genetics, and we're often taught that are fingerprints are unique to us, but it turns out that they are inherited from our dads. The elements of our fingerprints that are inherited from our dad, include (but aren't restricted to): their overall shape, pattern, placement and overall depth on the skin. So, in some ways your fingerprints are unique to you, but you can determine the extent of this unique nature, by comparing them to your father's.9. Sneezing
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Sneezing is a seemingly random bodily function, but it can be triggered by certain factors e.g. hay-fever, pollen, dust and illness. Did you know, that your pattern and/or cause of sneezing is inherited from your dad? This is often the underlying factor, of experiencing sneezing whilst being in direct sunlight, which is (unbelievably) an actual condition. This is due to a sensitivity to both natural, and artificial lighting, which triggers an allergic response in your brain, and in turn causes you to sneeze.10. Eye color
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It is common knowledge, that your eyesight is determined by your parents' genetics. But did you know, that it is actually your dad's dominant genes, which determine your final eye color? The majority of babies are born with dark blue-ish eyes, which change colour once their sight fully develops after birth. Your eye color, will more than likely be the same as your father, or it will be a unique of both your parents'. In some rare cases, you may have two different colored eyes (commonly known as Heterochromia).11. Lips
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Surprisingly, the shape and fullness of your lips, is another inherited characteristic from your dad. For some individuals, they may be blessed with naturally full, plump lips, and others find that they're left with thinner, less noticeable lips. However, there are many ways you can enhance that you've inherited. This can include, but is in no way restricted to: plumping lip-oils/lipsticks/lip-glosses, botox and/or filler injections and cosmetic tattooing. If you are looking to enhance your lips, it is always best to speak with a cosmetic professional before any kind of procedure.12. Hair
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Your hair's color and texture, is another thing inherited from your dad's genetics. So certain hair colors and textures are more dominant, and are more likely to show up consistently within family genetics. Many of the dominant genes (within the context of hair) include, but aren't restricted to: brunette coloring, blonde coloring, curly and/or coily hair and thick, wiry hair. Sometimes, there are cases of recessive genetics taking over, and determining one or more aspects of your hair e.g. wavy and/or mixed texture hair.13. Sense of humor
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It may come as a surprise, that you actually inherit the majority of your sense of humor from your dad. As you dad will tend to carry the dominant genetic makeup, it makes sense that some of your personality traits, and overall characteristics, are shared with him. Of course your sense of humor is unique to you, and is often shared with friends and family, however the root of your humor is shared primarily with your dad. This can range from the style of jokes that make you laugh, the comedians you find entertaining and how you tell jokes.14. Sleeping style
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The way you sleep also has a lot to do with your genetics. Your sleeping style is dictated by your dad's D.N.A (believe it or not)! So, whether you're a light or heavy sleeper, whether you suffer from certain conditions e.g. insomnia, sleep apnea, even down to your sleeping position, all comes from the genes you inherit from your father. Particular sleeping traits often begin to show during infancy, and will progress during an individual's years as a toddler. Some sleeping traits only last a matter of months, whereas others are long-term habits.15. Heart health
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Your heart health is one of the most important ton keep on top of, and manage accordingly. Your heart's health, and any conditions that are pre-existing or could develop, are inherited from your dad. So, if you're father suffers from a congenital heart condition, or has had a decline with his heart health, it is possible that you may have inherited these conditions, and it is important to monitor your personal health. If you are concerned about your heart health, you should seek medical advice and possible testing.16. Mental health conditions
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Mental health is often overshadowed by prioritizing physical health, but it is just as important to monitor your mental health (and overall well-being). If your parents, especially your dad, suffer from mental health conditions; you're ten times more likely to suffer with the same and/or slightly similar conditions. This can include a range of things, such as: depression, anxiety, BPD, ADHD, autism, schizophrenia and split-personality disorder. If you're struggling to cope, and are concerned about your well-being, you should seek suitable medical advice and assistance.17. Infertility
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Having children is something many people wish and plan for their future, but there can be certain obstacles that prevent this from happening e.g. infertility. Whether you are infertile/develop infertility, is also down to your father's genetics. He will, more often than not, carry the infertile genetic makeup, which can skip certain generations (this means that it may pass onto you, and be the dominant gene). Unfortunately, there are limited medical advances to help improve your fertility, and many of the existing methods are expensive e.g. IVF.18. Pattern baldness
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This next point applies (mainly) to males. Male pattern baldness is an inherited trait, and can affect males as young as 18. By seeing what age your father started balding, you can predict that this will (more than likely) be the age you experience the same. Having hereditary balding does not necessarily mean that you will suffer from hair loss, it just means that you carry the gene within your D.N.A. However, if you are suffering from hair loss, there are a range of cosmetic treatments you can explore e.g. toupees, hair transplant and hair growth treatments.19. Widow's peak
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Another hereditary hair trait, is having a widow's peak (a protruding v-shaped section of hair at the front of your head). If your dad has this and/or carries the gene, you will more than likely inherit it (and possibly pass it onto your own children). Widow's peaks can be quite unruly and difficult to style, but there are a range of hairstyles you can experiment with, that will compliment your personal style. You may also find that your widow's peak is more prominent in your youth, and seems to 'shrink' as your hair grows.20. Cleft chin
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A cleft chin, or 'Superman' chin as it's sometimes referred to, is an indent that runs down the centre of your chin (it will often range in prominence and length). This is another facial characteristic inherited from your dad's genetics. There are limited medical treatments to change this facial characteristic, if that is what you want to do. One of the only ways to alter it, would be via plastic surgery and/or botox and fillers. This method can be expensive, and cannot be guaranteed to work 100% of the time.21. Ginger genes
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The ginger genetic makeup seems to have had a rapid decline in recent years, with it becoming more recessive within each generation. This particular genetic makeup can only be carried, and passed down, by fathers. It may skip certain generations, and become more prominent within others e.g. your dad may be ginger, but you aren't/you may pass it onto your future children. These genetic makeup not only affects the color of your hair, but your skin-tone as well. People who carry this gene, will often have much fairer skin, and freckles.22. Intelligence
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Your intelligence can be influence, and developed, by a range of internal and external factors. However, your intelligence is also determined from your father's genetic makeup. This is in reference to your baseline/foundational intelligence e.g. your common sense and basic intellectual skills. Your baseline intelligence is what you build-up, and develop upon throughout your personal and educational lives. Intelligence can only be improved, and there are a great variety of ways to do so, such as: reading, writing, brain teasers and exploring hobbies/interests.23. Nose shape
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Another facial feature determined by your dad's genetics, is your nose. This means the shape, and size, of your nose is primarily dictated by your father's genes. Some individuals have smaller, petite noses (referred to as button noses), and other have longer, larger noses. Certain noses are also arched/crooked, and may seem to hook at the end. If you're not happy with your nose, the main way of altering it would be via plastic surgery (rhinoplasty). However, this is an expensive procedure (but it may be offered as a medical treatment, if you're struggling to breathe etc).24. Furrowed brow
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Yet another hereditary facial feature, is a prominent furrowed brow. This includes any fine lines and wrinkles that may appear, within that area of your face as well. This characteristic can range in severity and prominence, and will often increase in severity as you get older. If it is something that bothers you, there are ways of preventing the development of a furrowed brow, such as: investing in a suitable day and night skincare routine from an early age (this can be tweaked as you get older), using SPF daily to reduce UV damage and (the more expensive option) botox/fillers.25. Handedness
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Your dominant hand is also determined by your dad's genes. The majority of people are right-handed, however there is a smaller percentage of the population that are left-handed, and an even smaller population that are ambidextrous. Being right-handed comes with a lot more benefits; especially when compared to being left-handed. For example, in school you will often find that binders, notebooks and pens favor people that are right-handed. The same goes for the layout of books and other everyday objects e.g. scissors.26. Personality
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Your personality is what makes you unique, and what draws people to you and into your life. However, you may find that you share a large amount of your personality traits with your dad, and these is due to his genetic makeup being the determining factor; in the development of your personality. One of the defining parts of your personality, is whether you're more introverted (shy and reserved) or extroverted (outgoing and gregarious). You will often find that you attract an equal mix of introverts and extroverts within your friendship group, and this helps balance the group out.27. Pain tolerance
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Pain tolerance varies from person-to-person, and can change depending on the situation/circumstance. Did you know, that your pain tolerance is dictated by your father's genetic makeup? Your pain tolerance will differ in certain situations, but your baseline pain tolerance is passed down from your dad. This determines how sensitive you are to different types of pain, and how you react when experiencing them. For example, the pain you experience during a tattoo, will differ greatly from the pain experienced when you break a bone.28. Facial expressions
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Facial expressions are one of the main ways we express ourselves, and communicate (non-verbally) with other people. You will find that the majority of people, have at least a couple of distinctive facial expressions e.g. when they're angry, upset or disgusted. Some of these facial expressions are a result of genetics, and have been inherited from their dad. The facial expressions you inherit from your dad will vary, and will often be the more extreme expressions. These can range from: angry, upset and disgusted, to surprised, shocked and excited.29. Sweaty hands
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Overly sweaty hands/feet, also known as hyperhidrosis, is a genetic condition (passed down from your father). This condition causes your body to overproduce sweat from your hands and feet, often leaving them soaking wet. You may find that it becomes worse in hotter weather e.g. during the peak of summer, or when you've taken part in physical activity e.g. running/general working out. If you're self-conscious of it, there are many over-the-counter remedies that can help, or you can ask your doctor to prescribe you a topical ointment.30. Your ability to trust
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Believe it or not, your ability to trust is also determined by your father's genetics! Of course, there are external factors that can (and will) affect this ability e.g. abusive friendships/relationships. However, the foundations of this ability lie within your inherited genes. This determines if you're easily trusting or not, and how you react to your trust (possibly) being broken. Your ability to trust can be improved over time, despite any potential reluctance and/or negative past experiences.31. Voice Pitch
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We can't exclusively say that any of these traits are inherited solely by our fathers, however they do have a significant role to play in every single one of these traits. Your vocal pitch has an element of hormonal factors (testosterone levels) as well as genetic, but the size and shape of your vocal cords and folds that determine your pitch, comes from your dad!32. Jaw Structure
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There are many ways we can change our jaw structure through nutrition and other environmental factors. However there are specific genes that come from our dads that contribute to the structure of our jaws. The genetics responsible for your bone growth, leads to the appearance of your jaw, and these genetics (shock) comes from dads! So if you're unhappy with your jawline... you know who to turn to!33. Body Odor
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Some of us are just smellier than others, and it could be the fault of dads around the globe, not just the individual themselves. Sweat is caused by sweat glands, and body odor comes from the compounds of sweat interacting with bacteria on the skin. Many studies have suggested that certain genetic variations related to body odor can be associated with paternal inheritance!34. Allergies
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Allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to typically harmless substances such as certain foods, pollen, and animals. So why does this happen? Obviously there are external, environmental factors that influence allergies, however certain variations of genes related to immune system regulation, can impact the likelihood of developing allergies. These genes predominantly come from our fathers!35. Sense Of Taste
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The genes we inherit from our dads can impact the way we perceive foods... pretty cool hey! Genetic variations in our taste receptor (the thing that detects different taste qualities) means that we all interpret different flavors different to one another, our own being similar to our dads. So next time your dad says the food is good, take notes... he's the best to ask!36. Blood-Type
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Our parents, including fathers, are responsible for the blood type we possess. There are four main blood groups - A, B, AB, and O which are determined by the antigens in the blood. This is not the most interesting trait to inherit from a parent, but is still worth knowing for donating blood or in a life/death scenario! It might be worth asking your dad of his blood type, as it might help figure your own out!37. Athletic Abilities
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How frustrating is it when you try so hard when exercising, and it still doesn't come naturally to you? Isn't it even more annoying when you see someone who exercises like it is an extension of them? Well, thank your dad for that one! If your dad isn't particularly sporty, then chances are, you won't be either. Don't let your genetics stop you though, anyone can be athletic!38. Sense Of Smell
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As touched on previously, the size, shape and structure of your nose is determined by your fathers genetics; but did you know what you get from your nose is determined by your dad too? Similar to your taste, genetic differences mean the receptors in the nose differ from person to person. Does this mean no two people smell in the same way? There's no way to tell... but what we do know is that you have the most similar sense of smell to your dad!39. Nails
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Our fathers genetics determine the characteristics of our nails! The thickness, and texture of our nails is determined by the nail health of our dad's nails. And let's not hope they are susceptible to nail fungal infections or other nail-related issues, as they also have a genetic component from our dads. Remember, external factors also can impact our nail health, so watch out!40. Body Hair
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We have already touched on the fact that our hair type is inherited from our dads, but did you know that this isn't just subjected to the hair on the head, but the rest of the body too? The growth of body hair is primarily influenced by the testosterone in our bodies, and the genetics from our dads can contribute to the overall density, thickness, and distribution of the body hair.41. Male Specific Conditions
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Certain health conditions that primarily affect males, such as prostate cancer or male infertility, can be influenced by genetic factors inherited from the father. This is not the sole reasoning for male-specific conditions to occur, but it could be an indication. Consult a doctor and explore different possibilities if you are impacted by any of these conditions.42. Aggression Levels
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We have already established that if your dad suffers from a mental health condition, then you're ten times more likely to yourself. And this links heavily with aggression levels as there is a link between aggression and certain mental health conditions such as depression. Like with most things, genetics aren't usually the sole reason something occurs, and many lifestyle aspects can contribute to people's aggression levels!43. Aging
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The aging process is influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. While both parents contribute to an individual's genetic makeup, some studies suggest that certain genetic variations inherited from the father may affect aspects of aging, such as skin elasticity or the appearance of wrinkles. Again, there are also different environmental factors (such as stress) that contribute to signs of aging!44. Facial Symmetry
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While facial symmetry is influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, certain genetic variations related to facial development can be inherited from the father. This could be explained by the fact that so many of our facial features are inherited from our dads such as our noses, jawline, and chin, so it makes sense that the symmetry of our faces is down to them too!45. Spatial Awareness
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Are you super clumsy? Maybe your driving isn't amazing? It can even come down to your grammar skills not being on point! Well, this can be down to the genetics passed on to you by your father. Your spatial awareness is extremely heritable with a percentage of 69, so if you have poor spatial ability, it's probably developed from your dad! If you're not born with poor spatial awareness, you can also develop it at a young age!46. Migraines
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Are you a migraine sufferer? It can be a life altering thing that is occasionally overlooked. Well, genetics can play a big role in whether you suffer from migraines or not! Research suggests that 60% of the reason people suffer from migraines is down to their genetics, the remaining 40% is made up of environmental and lifestyle triggers, such as stress.47. Your Earlobes
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Have you ever considered whether your earlobes are attached or detached? Well have a look at your own, and then look at your dads! If your dad has attached or detached earlobes, and they carry the dominant gene, then you will too! If both of your parents have the same earlobes, then that increases the probability of you having that style of ear too!48. Asthma
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While no one is actually born with asthma, you can be born with a gene that means you are likely to develop it as a young child. If a father suffers from asthma, their child is 2.5 times more likely to suffer from it at some point in their lives, according to studies! Throw in a mother with asthma and the chances double. It's always worth checking out your parents medical history!49. Metabolism
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This links back to the idea that we inherit our fat storage systems from our dads... we also inherit our metabolism from them too! Our metabolism is responsible for how fast (or slow) we lose weight! Studies have shown that our dads are responsible for how much fat we store around our organs, however genetics aren't everything! Our lifestyles play a huge part in this!50. Flexibility
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I'm sure for many of us, flexible isn't the first word we would use to describe our wonderful dads. But did you know that the fate of your flexibility lies in the hands of your dad? Not sure about anyone else but this blows my mind! Next time you want to do something fun with your dad, maybe yoga or pilates should be on the cards... they might surprise you!51. Color Blindness
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So, we have already established that we get our eye color from our dads, but that's not all! The mechanism of the eyes are inherited by dads too, meaning if your dad has a specific issue with his eyes, then chances are you will too. This extends out to color blindness, specifically red-green color vision deficiency, which is often associated with the X chromosome.52. Skin Tone
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This one may seem pretty self explanatory.... but yes, you're skin tone is inherited, and your dad definetly plays a part in this! Skin tones are determined by the amount of melanin in the skin, which is a pigment produced by specialized cells. Genetic variations, (from your father) influence the level of melanin production, leading to differences in skin color among individuals.53. Risk Of Diabetes
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Genetic factors can contribute to to an individual's risk of developing type 2 diabetes, the factors of which can be inherited from your father. Type 2 diabetes is basically a metabolic mischief-maker, and it tricks the body to reduce its production of insulin! This can lead to complications due to the increase in blood sugar levels that it causes.54. Hand Size
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You know what they say about big hands? They are inherited by our dads!! Get your mind out of the gutter... Genetic factors from our dads determine pretty much everything about our hands, from hand size to the length of our fingers. Have you ever noticed this similarity between yourself and your dad? Pretty cool, right! There are also other factors that play a part in our hand size, including nutrition.55. Skin Sensitivity
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Do you have that new moisturizer that you just LOVE, but your skin doesn't and it breaks you out? Well, you can thank your dad for this one! The sensitivity of the skin to various stimuli, such as temperature, irritants, or the environment, can have a genetic link associated with paternal inheritance. It's important to note that other factors including lifestyle choices, and skincare routines impact our skin sensitivity.56. Sensitivity To Pain
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Inheriting sensitivity to pain from our dads involves a combination of genetic factors. Genetic variations can influence the body's perception and processing of pain signals, which can be inherited by both parents, including fathers. These variations can affect the sensitivity threshold, pain tolerance, and the overall pain experience. So if you can't handle pain, chances are your dad can't either!57. Fertility
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Our dad's genetic influence can impact fertility in both males AND females... but how? While both parents contribute to fertility potential, certain genetic factors related to fertility, such as sperm count/quality, or reproductive hormone levels/egg quality, may have a stronger association with paternal inheritance. Of course, like most things, external factors play a role in fertility too.58. Ovarian Cancer Risk
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This one is kinda crazy, that our dads can impact something that is so female orientated... but it's true! Although pretty rare, ovarian cancer is primarily associated with genetic mutations in genes like BRCA1 and BRCA2, both of which can be passed down but not only moms, but dads too! This is not the sole explanation as to why people get ovarian cancer, but it's definetly something to consider.59. Body Temperature Regulation
