role of father Flashcards
What was the traditional role of fathers in attachment?
Fathers were limited to providing resources for the family while mothers took care of the children.
Changing Role of Fathers
How has the role of fathers changed in recent times?
The role of fathers has changed significantly, but there is disagreement among psychologists regarding their exact role in attachment.
What do some researchers suggest is the reason why fathers are not able to form close attachments with their children?
Some researchers suggest that men are not biologically equipped to form an attachment due to the lack of oestrogen in men which underlies caring behavior in women.
What is the evidence for the role of fathers as playmates?
Geiger (1996) found that fathers’ play interactions were more exciting in comparison to mothers’. This suggests that the role of the father is as a playmate and not as a sensitive parent who responds to the needs of their children.
Nurturing Role
Do fathers take on a nurturing role in attachment?
Research evidence suggests that fathers do not provide a sensitive and nurturing attachment. Hrdy (1999) found that fathers were less able to detect low levels of infant distress, in comparison to mothers.
Is the role of fathers in attachment biologically determined?
Research suggests that the lack of oestrogen in men means that fathers are not biologically equipped to form close attachments with their children. This suggests that the role of the father is, to some extent, biologically determined and restricted because of their biological makeup.
What is the relationship between the father and mother’s relationship and the father’s attachment with their children?
Research suggests that fathers are able to form secure attachments with their children if they are in an intimate or close marriage. This suggests that the strength of the attachment depends on the father and mother relationship, mediating the father’s role in attachment.
