Couvade

From Freepedia

Couvade is derived from French (Couver "to hatch"), widespread custom among many non-industrial societies, whereby the father, during or immediately after the birth of a child, takes to bed, complains of having labour pains, and is accorded the treatment usually shown women during pregnancy or after childbirth. The custom has been reported by travelers throughout history, including the Greek geographer Strabo and the Venetian traveler Marco Polo, and it has been observed and studied by anthropologists in modern times. The origin and meaning of the custom are uncertain; the social function of couvade is generally held to be the assertion by the father of his role in reproduction or of his legal rights to the child.