Role of the Father

Question 1

Role of Father is not important

Answer 1

Attachment to Fathers and Distinctive Roles for Fathers

Question 2

Attachment to Fathers (N)

Answer 2

Fathers are less likely to be baby’s first attachment figure. In only 3% of cases father social object of attachment and 27% joint (Schaffer and Emerson)

Question 3

Distinctive Roles for Fathers (N)

Answer 3

Grossman et al 2002 did longitudinal study and found the quality of attachment with mother impacted attachments in adolescence but the quality of attachment to father had no impact

Question 4

Role of the Father is important

Answer 4

Attachment to Fathers, Distinctive Roles for Fathers, and Fathers as Primary Attachment Figures

Question 5

Attachment to Fathers (I)

Answer 5

Most fathers become important figures as 75% had formed an attachment with them (Schaffer and Emerson)

Question 6

Distinctive Roles for Fathers (I)

Answer 6

Grossman et al found quality of fathers play with baby was related to quality of adolescence attachments suggesting different role from mothers.

Question 7

Fathers as Primary Attachment Figures

Answer 7

Fathers are able to take on primary caregiver role when needed. Field 1978 found primary caregiver fathers showed similar behaviour to the primary caregiver mother of smiling, imitating, and holding babies then secondary caregiver father in observational study of 4 month olds.

Question 8

Weakness (C)

Answer 8

Lack of clarity over question.
Question ‘what is the role of the father’ is more complicated. May attempt to answer in context of secondary of primary caregiver.
Question is subjective and open to interpretation so lacks reliability.

Question 9

Weakness (C)

Answer 9

Findings are in conflict with each other.
Longitudinal like Grossman et al suggest have important role but if distinctive and key then why do children born without father develop perfectly normally.
Deterministic to say so but also unanswered question.
However… may not be conflicting just take on distinctive role in two parents families but mother takes it on when just her.

Question 10

Strength (A)

Answer 10

Offers advice to parents.
May agonise over decisions like who should be primary so mothers may feel pressure to stay at home but may not be financially beneficial. Provides reassurance that it can for either of them.
Reduces anxiety and helps reduce some stress over having a child.