Role of the Father

Question 1

What are the threes theories for the role of the father?

Answer 1

• Men are not biologically, socially, or psychologically equipped to form attachments.
• Fathers provide a ‘playmate’ role, rather than a caregiver.
• Fathers can demonstrate sensitive responsiveness.

Question 2

What was the traditional role of the father?

Answer 2

To play a minor role in their child’s caregiving, and going to work, leaving the mother to stay at home and care for the child. This may be a reason why men are not socially equipped for fatherhood.

Question 3

Schaffer and Emerson (1974) - Summary

Answer 3

Found that most infants attach to their mothers first, at 7 months. Fathers - and other family - were secondary attachment figures.

Question 4

Which theory of the role of the father does Schaffer and Emerson (1974) support/refute?

Answer 4

Supports the idea that fathers are not equipped to be primary caregivers.

Question 5

Primary Caregiver

Answer 5

The person who has formed the closest bond with a child.

Question 6

Taylor et al. (2000) - Summary

Answer 6

Argued that female hormones make women more nurturing, making women biologically pre-disposed to be the primary attachment figure.

Question 7

Which theory of the role of the father does Taylor et al. (2000) support/refute?

Answer 7

Supports the idea that women are more biologically suited to be caregivers.

Question 8

Oxytocin

Answer 8

A hormone associated with the feeling of love.

Question 9

What is oxytocin’s role in attachment?

Answer 9

Helps to create cohesive attachments through soothing and comforting interactions.

Question 10

Paquette (2004) - Summary

Answer 10

Found fathers encourage risky behaviour, being catalysts for exploring unfamilair situations, and taking chances.

Question 11

Which theory of the role of the father does Paquette (2004) support/refute?

Answer 11

Supports the idea that fathers are better suited as playmates to their infants.

Question 12

Grossman (2002) - Summary

Answer 12

Conducted a longitudinal study. Found that with mothers, quality attachments with their adolescents was linked with nurturing attachments in infancy. With fathers, quality of adolescent attachments were linked with quality of play during infancy.

Question 13

Which theory of the role of the father does Grossman (2002) support/refute?

Answer 13

Supports the idea that fathers form attachments by being playmates, not caregivers.

Question 14

Sensitive Responsiveness

Answer 14

The extent to which a parent is in tune with a child’s emotional state, is able to decode signals, and respond appropriately. Many argue men cannot demonstrate this ability.

Question 15

Field (1978) - Summary

Answer 15

Filmed interactions between 4-month-old babies with primary-caregiver mothers, primary-caregiver fathers, and secondary-caregiver fathers. Primary fathers acted very similarly to primary mothers - smiling, imitating, holding. They showed this behaviour more than secondary fathers did.

Question 16

Which theory of the role of the father does Field (1978) support/refute?

Answer 16

Supports the idea that fathers can demonstrate sensitive responsiveness, and can be nurturing attachment figures.

Question 17

Geiger (1996) - Summary

Answer 17

Found that a father’s play interactions were more exciting in comparison to a mother’s, but mother’s interactions were more nurturing and affectionate.

Question 18

Which theory of the role of the father does Geiger (1996) support/refute?

Answer 18

Supports the idea that fathers fulfil more of a ‘playmate’ role.

Question 19

Hardy (1999) - Summary

Answer 19

Found that fathers were less able to detect low levels of infant distress compared to mothers.

Question 20

Which theory of the role of the father does Hardy (1999) support/refute?

Answer 20

Refutes the idea that fathers can demonstrate sensitive responsiveness.

Question 21

Belsky et al. (2009) - Summary

Answer 21

Found that males who reported higher levels of marital intimacy also displayed a secure attachment with their infant, those with lower marital intimacy had insecure attachments.

Question 22

Which theory of the role of the father does Belsky et al. (2009) support/refute?

Answer 22

Refutes the argument that men are not socially equipped to form attachments with their infants.

Question 23

Gordon et al. (2010) - Summary

Answer 23

Measured levels of oxytocin of mothers and fathers after playing with their one-month-old. Oxytocin levels matched.

Question 24

Which theory of the role of the father does Gordon et al. (2010) support/refute?

Answer 24

Refutes the idea that men are not biologically equipped to form attachments with their infants.

Question 25

MacCallum and Golombok (2004) - Summary

Answer 25

Found children in single-parent, or same-sex parent families don’t develop differently to two-parent, heterosexual families.

Question 26

Strengths of the Role of the Father

Answer 26

• Geiger, Grossman, and Paquette support the idea of fathers being a ‘playmate’ figure.
• Schaffer and Emerson, and Taylor et al. support the idea that fathers are not equipped for attachments.
• Field supports the idea that fathers can demonstrate sensitive responsiveness.
• Useful evidence found to show that fathers are caapble of fulfilling a primary caregiver role.

Question 27

Limitations of the Role of the Father

Answer 27

• Hardy refutes the idea that fathers can demonstrate sensitive responsiveness.
• Belsky et al., and Gordon et al. refute the idea that men are socially, and biologically equipped to be fathers.
• Research into the role of the father is overall, inconsistent, reducing reliability of research.
• Fathers may not have a defined role as a secondary caregiver.
• MacCallum and Golombok found minimal difference with families that have two fathers, or no fathers.