Role of the Father Flashcards
What have researchers suggested about the role of the father?
They see the father as less of a caregiver and more as a playmate as fathers play is more physical, unpredictable and exciting than mothers. They are more likely to encourage toddlers to take risks and be brace during physical play
What is the difference between mothers and fathers?
Mothers are seen to have a caring nature but males can quickly develop this ability when assuming the position of the main care providers. Also mothers talk is primarily emotional whereas fathers talk is commonly structured around active play
Who conducted the first research into the role of the father?
Geiger
What did Geiger find?
Showed that fathers play interactions are more exciting and pleasurable than mothers while mothers are more nurturing and affectionate which supports the idea of fathers being playmates rather than caregivers
Who conducted the second study onto the role of the father?
Verissimo et al
What did Verissimo et al do and find?
They examined the relationship between children’s attachment to both their parents and later popularity in nursery school. They found that the quality of the relationship between fathers and toddlers significantly correlated with the number of friends at pre school. This shows the importance of the father as an attachment figure
Who conducted the third study on the role of the father?
Lamb
What did Lamb find?
Children often prefer interacting with fathers when in a positive emotional state and thus seeking stimulation but mothers are preferred when children are distressed and seeking comfort. This supports the idea of fathers being preferred as playmates but only in certain conditions
What are two strengths of the role of the father?
Children with secure attachments to their fathers go on to have better relationships with peers, less problem behaviours and are more able to regulate their emotions illustrating the positive influence fathers can have on developmental outcomes and fathers are important not just for the children but for mothers too and they provide the mothers with much needed time away from childcare so it reduces the mothers stress and improves the quality of a mothers relationship with her children
What is a strength and limitation of the role of the father?
Children who grow up with fathers have been seen to do less well at school and have higher levels of risk taking and aggressions. However Peterson points out the most studies have focused on female single mothers from poor socio economic backgrounds so it may be social factors related to poverty not the absence of fathers
