the role of the father Flashcards
father definition?
the father is anyone who takes on the role of the main male caregiver this could be but it is not necessarily the biological father
what percentage of babies attach to fathers?
schaffer and emerson
babies only attach primarly to fathers 3% of the time
by what age did babies form an attachment to their fathers?
75% formed an attachment by 18 months
grossman et al 2002
- longitudinal study
- studied babies till their teens
grossman: findings
- the quality of fathers play was related to their later attachments with others
- therefore fathers role is play and simulation
fathers as primary caregivers
- fathers can adapt to the role when no mother is there
fields 1878
- filmed babies with their primary attachment mothers, secondary attachment fathers and primary attachment fathers
- primary attachment fathers behaved more like primary attachment mothers
- shows fathers can be emotion focused buy only when given the primary caregiver role
limitations
- findings can vary depending on methodology
- children in single mother families do not develop differently
- this research is sterotypical
strengths
- Maybe single mothers adapt and add the role of the father into their usual role
- Mothers can go to work knowing the father can adapt to his primary caregiver role
- The research can be used to offer advice like how to help a father be a primary caregiver
- Parental anxiety can be reduced
What is the definition of ‘father’ in the context of attachment research?
Anyone who takes on the role of the main male caregiver, not necessarily the biological father.
Do fathers typically spend more or less time with babies compared to mothers?
Less time.
According to Schaffer and Emerson (1964), what percentage of babies attach primarily to their fathers?
3%.
What percentage of babies formed strong attachments to their fathers by 18 months?
75%.
What was the aim of Grossman et al.’s (2002) study?
To determine if attachments to fathers are important and different from mothers.
What aspect of fathers’ behavior was found to be related to their children’s later attachments with others?
The quality of fathers’ play.
What is a distinctive role attributed to fathers in attachment theory?
Play and stimulation.
What did Field (1978) discover about primary caregiver fathers?
They behaved more like primary caregiver mothers.
How can fathers adapt their emotional role when there is no mother present?
They can take on the emotional role of a mother.
What limitations are identified in attachment research regarding fathers?
Findings can vary depending on methodology; children in single mother and lesbian families do not develop differently.
What strengths of the research on fathers are mentioned?
Fathers may have their own role in a two-parent relationship and single mothers/lesbian parents can adapt to fill the role.
What pressures might modern mothers face regarding work and childcare?
Mothers today are pressured to work.
How can research on fathers be applied to parental advice?
It can offer advice on how to help fathers be primary caregivers.
What impact can advice based on attachment research have on parental anxiety?
It can reduce parental anxiety.
Fill in the blank: A baby’s relationship with their primary attachment figure affects their _______ relationship with others later in life.
[emotional]
True or False: The research on fathers’ roles in attachment is free from stereotypes.
False.
