Attachment: Role Of Father

Question 1

Schaffer and Emerson research in relation to role of the father

Answer 1

Found babies did become attached to their mothers first (at around 7months) but can form secondary attachments to other family members. 75% infants they studied formed attachment to father by 18months

Question 2

Factors affecting the father child relationship

Answer 2

Cultural
Economic
Social Policies
The child
-Age and Gender
-Temperament

Question 3

Cultural factors

Answer 3

Until recently men expected to be breadwinners and not have direct involvement in their child’s care.

In many societies men spend their time helping to keep children alive and among cultures like Aka in Central African Republic involves considerable amounts of daily care. (Hewlett 2004)

Question 4

Economic factors

Answer 4

In many parts of world eg Southern Africa and Asia, men work several of hundreds of miles away from homes to provide income for families. Many others work long hours. Hands on involvement with children is impossible

Question 5

The child: age and gender

Answer 5

Age and gender (Freeman et al 2010): male children are more likely to prefer their father as an attachment figure than female children.
Children more likely to become attached to their father during late childhood/early adolescence.
Infants less likely to seek attachments to fathers

Question 6

The child: Temperament

Answer 6

Manlove et al (2002) says fathers less likely to be involved with infant if the infant has a difficult temperament.

(Geiger 1996): fathers are playmates rather than care givers

Question 7

Role of father evaluations

Answer 7

Result of gender roles
-females biologically predisposed

Fathers can have positive impact
-less behavioural issues

Why aren’t children without fathers different?
-fathers role not important

Biological differences
-evolutionary reason: register crys