The role of the father

• the father - anyone who takes on main male caregiver
• attachment figure -

  • normally second attachment
  • 3% father first
  • 27% joint attachment
• when attach: 18 months 75% of infants formed attachment to father, shown by protesting when leaving the room
• Distinct role: Grossman et al (2002) - fathers play with babies relates to quality adolescent attachments
• Distinct role (short): related to play and simulation not nurturing
• Role primary caregiver: Field - looked at face to face interactions with Primary caregiver mothers, fathers and secondary caregiver fathers
• primary caregiver: Field found - primary caregiver father acted like mother, holding, smiling and imitating
• Primary caregiver (short): Father can be nurturing when given the opportunity to be primary caregiver