The role of the father

Question 1

What is a father?

Answer 1

Anyone who takes on the role of the main male caregiver

Question 2

What does research suggest about attachment to fathers?

Answer 2

• Fathers are less likely to become babies’ first attachment figures
• E.g: Schaffer and Emerson- majority of babies attach to mother at 7 months. In only 3% of cases, the father was the first sole object of attachment. 27% of cases- father was joint first object of attachment
• 75% of babies formed an attachment to their father by 18 months old

Question 3

What do Grossman et al say about the distinctive role for fathers?

Answer 3

• Longitudinal study- babies’ attachments studied until they were in their teens
• Examination of parents’ behaviours and its relationship to the quality of babies’ attachments
• Quality of attachment with mothers was related to adolescent attachments
• Attachments to fathers is LESS important
• Quality of fathers’ play was related to quality of adolescent attachments
• Suggest fathers have a different role- focus on play and stimulation

Question 4

What does Field say about fathers as primary attachment figures?

Answer 4

• Studies suggest fathers are able to take on an emotional role, associated with mothers
• Filmed 4 month olds’ face to face interactions with primary caregiver mothers, secondary caregiver fathers, and primary caregiver fathers
• Primary caregiver fathers spend more time smiling, imitating, holding babies
• Fathers have potential to become emotion-focused

Question 5

LIMITATION-
I= There is a lack of clarity over the question being asked

Answer 5

D= ‘What is the role of the father?’ is a complex question. Some researchers aim to understand the role of fathers as primary attachment figures vs some focus on their role as secondary attachment figures (take on maternal role vs distinct role)
E= Makes it hard to offer a simple answer to the question

Question 6

LIMITATION-
I= There is conflicting evidence

Answer 6

D= Findings vary according to methodology used. Longitudinal studies suggest fathers as secondary attachment figures have an important role in their chilren’s development. But, if fathers have a distinctive role, we would expect those growing up in a single-mother/ lesbian-parent household to develop differently. McCallum and Golombok- children do not develop differently
E= Means the question remains unanswered

Question 7

STRENGTH-
I= These lines of research may not be in conflict

Answer 7

D= It could be that fathers take on distinctive roles in two-parent heterosexual families, but parents in single-mother and lesbian-parent families adapt to accommodate the role played by fathers
E= Means the question of a distinctive role for fathers is clear (fathers have a distinctive role, but families can adapt)

Question 8

STRENGTH-
I= Real-world application

Answer 8

D= Research can offer parental advice. Parents may agonise over decisions of who should take on primary caregiver role. Mothers may feel pressure to stay home, vs fathers feeling pressured to focus on work. Parents are informed fathers are capable of becoming primary attachment figures
E= Reduces parental anxiety