Role of the Father- Attachment

Question 1

Attachment to fathers

Answer 1

Schaffer and Emerson found majority of babies did become attached to mothers first at 7 months and within a few weeks formed secondary attachments to other family members. 75% formed attachment with father by 18 months

Question 2

What do father provide the child?

Answer 2

A secure environment and they learn to be brave

Question 3

What is fathers distinctive role?

Answer 3

Play and stimulation

Question 4

Can fathers become primary attachment figures

Answer 4

Yes

Question 5

Key biological differences between males and females in caring for infants? And can sensitive responsiveness be learned?

Answer 5

Heerman et al 1994 found men lack emotional sensitivity maybe because women produce oestrogen that increases emotional response- fathers don’t possess same qualities (not as good?)

BUT
Lamb 1987 fathers that are main carer can quickly develop sensitivity- so can be learnt

Question 6

What did freeman et al 2010 find

Answer 6

Male children are more likely to prefer their father than female children. Children be attached to father later- into adolescence

Question 7

What did Grossman 2002 find

Answer 7

Longitudinal study- quality of infant attachment with mother relating to attachment in adolescence- paternal not as important

Question 8

Supporting evidence for co-parenting

Answer 8

Brown et al 2010- found high levels supportive co-parenting = secure attachments btwn father and infant.

Question 9

Economic implications:

Answer 9

dads should got to work and provide money while mum stays at home, economy suffers if more mums stay at home. Now paternity leave so fathers have more time with kid
BUT
Higher taxes to pay paternity, both parents working not securely attached

Question 10

AO3

Answer 10

Little difference in those who have fathers and those who don’t: MacCallum and Golombok- don’t develop differently, so fathers not entirely necessary

Inconsistent findings- some say fine as secondary figures and how their role is play and stimulation

Socially sensitive- detrimental effect has on parents if fathers role “less important”- mothers feel like have to do everything and dads not wanted

Practical Applications: father as primary attachment figure, implications for society to help ensure have opportunity to form bond. Paternal leave in Uk- different expectations on diff cultures so cannot be globalised