Role of the Father (Attachment)

Question 1

What did Schaffer find regarding fathers?

Answer 1

After 18 months 75% of infants had formed attachments with their father, showing separation anxiety, suggesting the fathers role is important in their infants lifeves

Question 2

Active Play

Answer 2

Fathers are seen to engage babies in active ‘play’ more consistently with mothers which encourages risk taking behaviours

Question 3

Men as PCG

Answer 3

If men take on the role of PCG, their interactional style changes to be more like mothers, increasing their capacity for sensitive responsiveness

Question 4

Positive Evaluation of the role of the Father

Answer 4

Field - found fathers are more focused on game playing and that PCG fathers showed more sensitively responsive behaviour

Question 5

Negative Evaluations of the role of the Father

Answer 5

Socially sensitive to argue that families with two fathers feeling they can’t provide for the needs of infants