role of the father

Question 1

what s the father’s role

Answer 1

not important
multiple attachment
play role
primary caregiver

Question 2

not important

Answer 2

Grossman
- found the quality of attachment with the mother was important when examining adolescent attachments
- the quality of the father was not

Question 3

multiple attachment

Answer 3

Schaffer and Emerson
- found that 75% of babies have attached to their fathers by the age of 18 months
- the father becomes an important secondary attachment to the mother

Question 4

play role

Answer 4

Grossman et al
- found that the quality of father’s play with their babies was linked to the quality of attachment in adolescence
- suggests a play role rather than an emotional role

Question 5

primary caregiver

Answer 5

fathers have the potential to be a primary attachment figure

Field
- filmed reactions of infants to fathers
- found primary caregiving fathers spent more time interacting, smiling, imitating and holding infants
- acted in a similar way to mothers

Question 6

evaluation of role of the father

Answer 6

inconsistent research
real world application
father’s role not important

Question 7

inconsistent research : EVALUATION OF ROLE OF THE FATHER

Answer 7

• some researchers examine fathers as a primary figure and some as secondary
• we cannot simply answer ‘what is the role of the father?’

Question 8

real world application : EVALUATION OF ROLE OF THE FATHER

Answer 8

• parents can be reassured that fathers can be effective primary caregivers
• allows mothers to work if they want to

Question 9

father’s role not important : EVALUATION OF ROLE OF THE FATHER

Answer 9

MacCallum & Golombok
- found children in single/same sex parent families do not develop any differently