Lesson 3 Role Of The Father

Question 1

Schaffer and Emerson (1964) multiple attachments

Answer 1

Schaffer and Emerson (1964) found that for the majority of babies their mother is their primary attachment figure. At around 7 months of age babies form secondary attachments to other family members, including their father. 75% of infants studied had formed an attachment with their father by the age of 18 months.

Question 2

Role of the father

Answer 2

Fathers are less likely to be their child’s primary attachment figure. This might be because they spend less time with their infants. It is also possible that most men are not as psychologically equipped to form an intense attachment because they lack the emotional sensitivity that women have. This could be due to biological factors. The female hormone oxytocin underlies caring behaviour so women are more orientated to interpersonal goals than men. Alternatively, it could be due to societal norms. In some cultures there is also the stereotype that it is feminine to be sensitive to the needs of others.

Some researchers believe that the father fulfils a qualitatively different role from that of the mother. Fathers provide play and stimulation to complement the role of the mother, which is to provide emotional support. The father’s role is considered just as crucial to the child’s wellbeing.

Question 3

Disadvantages of the Role of the Father

Answer 3

• There is inconsistency in the research as to the importance of the role of the father. Research investigating the effects of growing up in a single female or same-sex parent family show there is no effect on development, and therefore suggests the role of the father is not important.
• It seems the father is less important to later development than the mother in terms of nurture. Grossman (2002) found that the early attachment to the mother was a better predictor of what the teenage relationship was like than the early attachment with the father. However, if the father had engaged in active play with the child when they were young, the adolescent relationship with BOTH parents was strengthened.
• Research also questions whether the father plays a distinct role. Studies show that the father in a single parent family is more likely to adopt the traditional maternal role and can be their child’s primary attachment figure.
• Field (1978) conducted research which compared the behaviours of primary caregiver mothers with primary and secondary caregiver fathers. Face-to face interactions were analysed from video footage with infants at four months of age. Overall, it was observed that fathers engaged more in game playing and held infants less. However, primary caretaker fathers engaged in significantly more smiling, imitative grimaces and imitative vocalisations than secondary caregiver fathers. The behaviour of primary caregiver fathers was comparable with that of mothers’ behaviour. This demonstrates that there is flexibility in the role of the father and how men can respond to the different needs of their children.