The Role of the Father

Question 1

what are the stats from the Glasgow study which suggest that infants are less likely to form their specific attachment to the father

Answer 1

Only 3% of the babies were attached to their father as the primary attachment

27% were in joint attachment with the mother

Question 2

what is the distinctive role of the father

Answer 2

play and stimulation

Question 3

outline Grossmans study and findings

Answer 3

• a longitudinal study where the babies attachments were studied until they were teens
• Grossman found that the quality of the mothers attachment affected the attachment in the adolescents > suggesting mothers are more important
• he found that quality of play affected the attachments in adolescence

Question 4

Outline the study by Fields that suggests fathers are capable of being the primary attachment figure

Answer 4

• filmed 4 month old babies in face to face interactions between the mother PCG, father PCG and fathers as SCG

Question 5

why is there confusion over research questions and why is this a limitation

Answer 5

• some reserchers want to know about the ROF as a secondary figure whilst others wants their role as a primary
• this causes a lack of clarity and confsuion

Question 6

what were the findings of the study

Answer 6

• similar interactions between the MCG and FCG
• suggests that the fathers can take on the role of the PCG

Question 7

what is the conflicting evidence against the role of the father research

Answer 7

• the findings vary depending on the methodology
• Grossman found that infants needed their fathers as secondary attachment figures for play and stimulatiom
• however, children from lesbian couple or single mother households havent turned out any different to children with a father
• this leaves the question of the role of the father unanswered

Question 8

explain why the research has real life application and why this is a strength

Answer 8

the research can be used to advise parents
- women may feel pressured to stay at home whilst men may feel pressure to go out and work which may not be suitable for all households
- anxiety regarding the role of the father can be reduced by informing parents that the father is capable of taking the primary caregiver role on

Question 9

what are the economic implications of this research

Answer 9

• legislation could come out where maternity and paternity leave becomes equal > causing less work
• however it can help to eradicate the gender pay gap