The role of the father

• A01 introduction points for role of the father:

  • expectations in the western cultures that the father should play a greater role in bringing up children than was previously the case.
  • the number of mothers working full time has increased meaning fathers have a more active role in raising the children.
  • Fathers adopt a more play-mate role.
  • More likely to encourage risk taking in their child.
• A01 points for role of the father:

  Schaffer & Emerson found fathers are much less likely to be the primary attachment figure.

  The suggest this was due to fathers spending less time on average with their children.
• A01 points for explanations for role of the father:

  • Biological factors - hormones like oestrogen (mother) underlies caring behaviour.
  • Social factors - may also explain differences in the role of the father & mother as society's expectations of men and women are different.
• A03 strengths of role of the father:

  • Although evidence shows fathers are rarely the primary attachment figure, they still play an important role as the secondary attachment figure.
  • Lack of sensitivity helps the children develop problem solving skills.
  • When the male is the primary caregiver they adopt behaviours more typical of a mother like being caring
• A03 weaknesses of role of the father:

  • finding have been inconsistent
  • the research can be socially sensitive
• Conclusion for role of the father:

  It is clear that men can still form secure attachments with their children, as is the case for single (male) parents.

  Research has found that in two-parent families where the father is the primary caregiver, both parents often share the role of primary attachment figure. men CAN be the primary attachment figures but biological and social factors may discourage this.