Role of the father

• Field


  Fathers who were primary attachment figures acted in very similar ways to mothers who were primary attachment figures towards their children - fathers are able, if required, to take on the more caring, nurturing role usually associated with the mother.
• Schaffer and Emerson


  By 18 months, 75% of infants had attached to the father
• Thomas

  Fathers can be primary caregiver but are most often involved in play and caregiving as a secondary caregiver, quality of interaction is more important than gender.
• Grossman and Grossman 


  Helps diversify the internal working model and allows the child the skills to negotiate with their peer groups.
• Lamb


  Father can play a useful role in development, suggest that often children prefer rough and tumble play. Children pick up different skills from interacting with the father then they do interacting with the mother. Supports skills like risk-taking, problem solving and emotional regulation