Role of the Father

Question 1

Research into fathers as attachment figures

Answer 1

• Schaffer and Emerson (1964)
• 27% infants had joint attachment as specific attachment, 3% Fathers
• By 18 months 75% had formed attachment to Father

Question 2

Research: do Fathers have a distinctive role?

Answer 2

• Grossmann et al (2002) - longitudinal study
• Quality of infants attachment with mother linked to attachment in adolescence
• Quality of fathers play with babies related to quality of adolescent attachments
• Role in play and stimulation rather than nurturing and emotional development

Question 3

Research: Fathers as primary caregivers

Answer 3

• Field et al (1978)
• Observed and compared interactions of infants with primary caregiver mothers, primary caregiver fathers and secondary caregiver fathers
• Primary caregiver fathers spent more time (like mothers), holding, smiling and imitating than secondary caregiver fathers
• Gender not key, but level of responsiveness is

Question 4

Evaluation points

Answer 4

+ Father has a distinct role: Lamb - preference to seek father when feeling positive and seeking stimulation

• McCallum and Golombok - single/lesbian mother children don’t turn out differently

+ Could be that fathers do have a distinct role but single/lesbian families adapt to accomodate

+ Real world: laws and injustices altered so fathers can have increased involvement in childs life + paternity care = role more appreciated