Role of the Father

• How has the role of the father changed in the last 100 years?

  traditionally fathers have played a minor role in child rearing.

  Historically fathers would go to work and provide resources while mothers took care of the children.
• What is the role of the father in child rearing?

  1.Some psychologists argue that men are not eqquiped to form attachments, both psychologically and socially.

  2.Other researchers argue that fathers are not 'caregivers' and that they provide a 'playmate' role instead.

  3.Others argue that fathers can demonstrate sensitive responsiveness - where they respond to the needs of their children.
• Men = not equipped both psychologically and socially

  1.The difference in hormones between men and women may play a role. Oestrogen underlies caring behaviours, which may make women biologically more suited to forming attachments.

  2.There are also cultural/social expectations that view child rearing as stereotypically feminine. This may deter males taking on childrearing roles, even if they want to.
• Geiger (1996)


  Found fathers play interactions are more exciting than mothers. Mothers interactions were more affectionate and nurturing.
• Hardy (1999)


  Found fathers are unable to detect low level infant distressing comparison to mothers. supports biological explanation of oestrogen - to some extent biologically determinism - fathers biologically restricted due to biological makeup of males.

  However some fathers are able to form a close attachment with their child indicating a softer view of determinism may be more appropriate.
• Belsky et al (2009)


  Found fathers form secure attachments when in intimate marriages. males who reported a higher level of marriage intimacy displayed a secure father-infant attachment compared to males with lower levels of marital intimacy who displayed insecure father-infant attachments. attachment based on father-mother relationship