What is the fathers role?

Question 1

Overarching statement

Answer 1

There is lots of evidence that fathers are important in lots of things, not just breadwinning. Mothers in full time work has increased and fathers in part time has increased - shows the roles are becoming more equal. Fathers are important figures in the lives of young adults in increasing happiness, protecting them against mental health problems and helping them to do better at school by aiding their development

Question 2

Main point 1

Answer 2

Being close to fathers increases happiness in children

Question 3

Main point 1 - evidence 1

Answer 3

Amato 1994
Found that closeness to fathers makes a unique contribution to offspring happiness, life satisfaction and psychological distress - shows that fathers are important figures in lives of young adults

used 471 young adults
looked at a variety of moderator variables
used young adults which is good

Question 4

Main point 1 - evidence 2

Answer 4

Flouri and Buchanan 2003
father involvement contributed significantly and independently to offspring happiness
father involvement had a stronger effect than mother involvement

controlled for mother involvement
used 2,772 adolescence between 14-18 years old

Question 5

Main point 2

Answer 5

High father involvement is associated with positive outcomes - protects against psychological problems

Question 6

Main point 2 - evidence 1

Answer 6

Flouri and Buchanan 2003
Father involvement at age 7 protected against psychological maladjustment in adolescence and father involvement at age 16 protected against psychological distress in women

controlled for mother involvement and other confounds
used 8441 people, shows long term impact

Question 7

Main point 2 - evidence 2

Answer 7

Wilson and Prior 2011
high levels of father involvement are associated with significant and highly desirable outcomes for children and families (better mental health etc) - they make important contributions to child development and well being - it is important for fathers to be accessible, engaged and responsible for the range of childcare activities

Question 8

Main point 3

Answer 8

High father involvement has an impact on development in different aspects

Question 9

Main point 3 - evidence 1

Answer 9

Flouri and Buchanan and Bream, 2002
father involvement contributed significantly and independently to school attitudes - means they will work harder
Doesn’t depend on amount of mother involvement

used data from 2,722 adolescence - aged 14-18 years

Question 10

Main point 3 - evidence 2

Answer 10

McBride et al 2005
Significant relationship between aspects of father involvement in children education and student achievement

used 1334 families with children aged between 5 and 12 - findings can apply to large age range

Question 11

Main point 3 - evidence 3

Answer 11

Easterbrooks and Goldberg 1984
High father involvement was related to toddler development - aids development

Used toddlers - showed they are important when they are younger

Question 12

Conclusion

Answer 12

The role of fathers is much more than just breadwinning - there are many different roles now such as increasing happiness, fostering development etc

Question 13

Main point 2 - evidence 3

Answer 13

Boyce et al 2006
Low father involvement in infancy was a risk factor for later mental health symptoms – if the child had experienced low father involvement, they were more likely to be diagnosed with a mental health issue

longitudinal - assessed mental health symptoms when they were 9 by parent, child and teacher reports