Attachment - 01 (3-Role of the father)

Question 1

What are the 3 reasons why some psychologists say fathers CAN be the caregiver?

Answer 1

1-gender not the issue
2-oxytocin & fathers
3-cultural factors

Question 2

What are the 3 reasons why some psychologists say fathers CAN NOT be the caregiver?

Answer 2

1-stereotypes
2-biological factors
3-playmate, not caregiver

Question 3

Explain how the norms and expectations for men and women in society might affect the role of the father as a caregiver?

Answer 3

-women characterised as being sensitive and caring
-men not given any paternity leave puts responsibility to care onto the mother
-caregiver role not seen as masculine stopping fathers from forming close attachments

Question 4

Outline how biological differences in oestrogen and oxytocin contributes to the argument that men are not made for the caregiver role.

Answer 4

Oestrogen- thought to be involved in caregiver behaviours suggesting men struggle due to their low levels of oestrogen

Oxytocin-reduces stress + lowers fight/flight and helps with forming relationships e.g. during and after birth

Question 5

What did Geiger say about the role of the father?

Answer 5

-Fathers seen as playmate and mothers ad caregiver
-Found that father’s interactions were more exciting and focused on fun in comparison to mothers who’s interactions were more affectionate + caring

Question 6

What did field say about the role of the father?

Answer 6

-found that fathers engaged in more game playing + less holding of infants
-but primary caregiver father + mothers engaged in more smiling and imitative behaviours than secondary caregiver fathers
-showed being primary caregiver is not about being male or female but it is about the quality of the relationship

Question 7

What did Gordon et al say about oxytocin and fathers?

Answer 7

-fathers oxytocin levels matched the mother after birth
-suggests that if fathers do have an engaged parental role they can have the biological process that encourages caring and nurturing behaviour

Question 8

What are cultural factors surrounding the role of the father?

Answer 8

-different cultures share parental responsibilities in different ways
- In some cultures multiple caregivers are the norm leading to multiple attachments not being the last stage (once the child is around 10 months) but rather right from the beginning

Question 9

Evaluation of research into the role of the father (inconsistent findings)

Answer 9

-some studies show fathers have a nurturing role (Field)
-some suggest they have a different role as a playmate (Geiger)
-Hard to make conclusions on what the role of the father is

Question 10

Evaluation of research into the role of the father (single-parent families)

Answer 10

MacCallum and Golombok (2004) found children growing up in single-parent/same-sex couple families do not develop any differently from those growing up in a more ‘conventional’ family
-suggests the role of the father is not significant in attachment

Question 10

Evaluation of research into the role of the father (too may influences)

Answer 10

-Many influences that might impact on a child’s emotional development
-Examples: culture, beliefs, age, sensitivity, marital intimacy, amount of time the father spends away from home etc
-difficult to control these factors and so difficult to draw conclusions about the role of the father

Question 11

Evaluation of research into the role of the father (economic implications) 3 implications

Answer 11

1-SHARED PARENTAL LEAVE introduced so fathers can spend more time at home with baby. Previously only 2 weeks. Has implications for employers, they will need to provide pay for father whilst they are off.

2-MUMS CAN RETURN TO WORK safe in the knowledge that the father can be the primary caregiver. Mum can contribute to economy and is less likely to need benefits from the state.

3-THE GENDER PAY GAP MAY BE REDUCED if parent’s roles are regarded more as equal