Multiple Attachments & The Role of The Father

• Multiple attachments


  An infant forms several, different attachments with a range of people, usually a family member
• Monotropy


  An infant forms one main attachment with their Primary Care Giver (PCG) and this is then replicated throughout their life in their relationships with others
• Bowlby's theory of attachment, most psychologists tend to support Multiple Attachments more
• The role of the father

  • The most common second attachment formed was with the father
  • At 18 months 75% had formed an attachment with their father
  • The role of fathers has significantly developed since then and many men are more hands-on with their children than in the 1960s
• The role of the mother


  Associated with care and nurturing the child
• The role of the father


  More about fun and playing with the child
• The early attachment to the mother was a better predictor of what the teenage relationship was like
• If the father had engaged in active play with the child when they were young

  The adolescent relationship with BOTH parents is strengthened
• If the father was the main PCG from before attachment began (before 6 months)


  • They took on more of a maternal role
  • They were seen to be more nurturing and caring than the traditional father role
• There is a lack of consistency in the research on the role of the father
• Having a secure attachment with both parents is linked
• Children tend to need both parents and it is not really a case of one being better or more suited: Both are needed
• Practical applications of fathers taking on maternal roles

  • Paternity/maternity leave
  • Custody of children: Men gaining more equality in this
  • Role modeling parental skills in young men
  • More societal acceptance of the single father