The role of the father

Question 1

What are the 3 proposed beliefs about the role of the father?

Answer 1

1 = fathers are not biologically, socially or emotionally equipped to be the primary attachment figure
2= fathers are not caregivers, but act as playmate
3 = fathers are capable of being a primary caregiver

Question 2

What did Schaffer and Emerson find about the role of the father?

Answer 2

By the time infants were 18 months, 75% had formed a secondary attachment to their fathers

Question 3

What did Field find about the role of the father?

Answer 3

Field observed interactions between infants and their primary caregivers (mother or father) and found that it isn’t gender that determines this bond, but rather attentiveness and emotional sensitivity

Question 4

How does the father acting as a playmate aid in the infant’s development?

Answer 4

Their lack of sensitivity is positive as it leads to children developing problem solving skills by making greater communicative and cognitive demands

Question 5

What research supports fathers being capable of being the primary attachment figure?

Answer 5

Children growing up in homosexual or single-parent families were not different compared to children with two heterosexual parents

Question 6

What research supports fathers acting as a playmate?

Answer 6

Fathers play interactions are more exciting in comparison to mothers, as mothers tend to have an affectionate and nurturing play style

Question 7

What research supports fathers being incapable of being the primary attachment figure?

Answer 7

Fathers are less able to detect low levels of infant distress compared to mothers

Question 8

What is the gender of the primary caregiver determined by?

Answer 8

Societal norms