Role of the father

Question 1

How has the role of the father changed in the last 100 years?

Answer 1

• Traditionally fathers have played a minor role in child rearing.
• Historically, fathers would go to work and provide resources while the mother took care of the children.

Question 2

What is the role of the father in child rearing?

Answer 2

• Some researchers argue that men are not equipped to form attachments, both psychologically and socially.
• Other researchers argue that fathers are not ‘caregivers’ and that they provide a playmate role.
• However, others argue that fathers can demonstrate sensitive responsiveness- where they respond to the needs of their children.

Question 3

Some researchers argue that men are not equipped to form attachments both psychologically and socially, why?

Answer 3

• The different hormones in men/ women play a role. Oestrogen underlies caring behaviour, which may make women biologically more suited to forming attachments (lack of oestrogen in men).
• There are cultural/ social expectations that view child rearing as being stereotypically feminine. This may deter males taking on a child bearing role, even if they want to.

Question 4

Supporting evidence (Geiger)

Answer 4

• Used as support for the ROF as a playmate.
• Found that fathers play interactions were more exciting in comparison to mothers.
• However mothers play interactions were more affectionate and nurturing.

Question 5

What does Geiger’s research suggest?

Answer 5

• Suggests that the role of the father is in fact as a playmate and not as a sensitive parent who responds to the needs of their children.
• Also confirms that the mother takes on more of a nurturing role.

Question 6

Supporting evidence (Hrdy)

Answer 6

• Suggests that fathers are not to provide a sensitive and nurturing attachment.
• Found that fathers were less able to detect low levels of infant distress in comparison to others.
• This supports the biological explanations (biological determinism)= the lack of oestrogen in men means that fathers are not biologically equipped to form close attachments to those with their children.

Question 7

What does Hrdy’s research suggest?

Answer 7

• Provides further evidence that fathers are not able to provide a sensitive and nurturing type of attachment , as they are unable to detect stress in their children.

Question 8

Supporting evidence (Belsky)

Answer 8

• Research suggests that fathers are able to form secure attachments with their children if they are in an intimate (close) marriage.
• Found that males who reported higher levels of marital intimacy also displayed a secure father- infant attachment, whereas males with lower levels of marital intimacy displayed insecure father- infant attachments.

Question 9

What does Belsky’s research suggest?

Answer 9

• This suggests that males can form secure attachments with their children; however the strength of the attachment depends on the father and mother relationship.