Is 39 Too Old to Become a Father? The Truth You Need to Hear

Does Age Really Matter When Becoming a Dad?

If you're 39 (or close to it) and wondering if it's too late to become a father, you're not alone. Society has a weird way of making men feel like there's some invisible deadline for fatherhood.

I had this exact conversation with my friend Mark last week. He’s 38, thinking about having kids, and suddenly he’s panicking. "Will I be too old to keep up? What if I look like my kid's grandpa at school events?"

The short answer? No, 39 is NOT too old. But let’s get into the real concerns—because I know they’re on your mind.

Biological Factors: Can a 39-Year-Old Man Still Have Kids?

1. Sperm Quality & Fertility After 35

Unlike women, who experience a clear fertility decline with age, men can technically father children well into their 50s and beyond. But does that mean nothing changes? Not exactly.

• Sperm count and quality decline gradually after 35 (but it’s a slow process).
• Studies show slightly higher risks of genetic mutations in older fathers, but the increase is minimal in your late 30s/early 40s.
• A healthy lifestyle (exercise, good diet, avoiding smoking/drugs) can help maintain fertility longer.

So, is 39 too late? Absolutely not. But if you’re planning to have kids soon, it might be worth a quick fertility check-up.

The Energy & Stamina Question: Can You Keep Up?

One of the biggest fears guys have: "Will I have the energy to raise a kid?"

Let’s be real—kids are exhausting. But the good news? Your fitness and mindset matter way more than your age.

• If you stay active, you'll keep up just fine.
• Plenty of dads in their 20s are exhausted too (trust me, I’ve seen it).
• Your maturity and patience at 39 might actually make you a better, calmer parent.

I know a guy, Dave, who became a dad at 41. He told me, "If I had kids at 25, I would’ve been a disaster. Now, I’m way more patient and financially stable."

Social & Emotional Considerations: Will You Feel Out of Place?

1. The "Older Dad" Stigma

Some guys worry about looking too old compared to other dads at school events. But let’s put that into perspective:

• Plenty of guys are having kids later in life now.
• You won’t be the only dad in his 40s at school pickup.
• What matters most is being present, not how young you look.

2. The Emotional Maturity Advantage

At 39, you’ve lived more, experienced more, and likely have more emotional intelligence. That translates into:

• Better patience for tantrums and challenges.
• Stronger relationship skills (less impulsive parenting decisions).
• A deeper appreciation for fatherhood since you’ve had time to mature.

The Financial & Career Perspective: Stability vs. Time

One huge advantage of waiting until 39 to have kids? You’re probably in a better financial position than you were in your 20s.

• More career stability → Less stress about providing.
• Better planning skills → Smarter financial choices for your child’s future.
• Ability to offer better opportunities → More flexibility to invest in education, experiences, etc.

Of course, the trade-off is that you’ll be closer to retirement when your child is in college. But honestly? Plenty of people are thriving in their 60s and 70s.

Final Verdict: Is 39 Too Old to Be a Dad?

No, it’s not too old—at all.

If you’re in good health, emotionally ready, and financially stable, you’re in a great position to be an amazing father.

And if anyone tells you otherwise? Just remind them that Robert De Niro had a baby at 79.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.