role of the father (multiple attachments)

• father as primary attachment figure


  Schaffer and Emerson found fathers were less likely to be primary attachment figures than mothers - generally spend less time with infants (work demands or social stereotypes) - men generally less sensitive to infant's cues than mothers - men form secure attachments with children in case of single father families where men have been shown to be successful primary attachment figures - research suggests father in single parent family more likely to adopt traditional maternal role
• father as secondary attachment figure


  in many cases fathers take the role as secondary attachment - fathers are more playful, physically active and generally better at providing challenging situations for children - father is an exciting playmate whereas mother more conventional and ten to read stories to their children (Geiger) - Woolett argued lack of sensitivity from fathers can be seen as positive as it fosters problem solving by placing greater demands on children to effectively communicate
• FATHER EVALUATION - father role crucial for a children's healthy development 


  found that children who grow up without fathers have often been seen to do less well at school and have higher levels of risk taking and aggression especially in boys suggesting the father can help prevent negative developmental outcomes - suggests role of father as equal importance to role of mother in attachment
• FATHER EVALUATION - Grossman


  carried out a longitudinal study looking at parents behaviour and its relationship to quality of children's attachments into their teens - found quality of infant attachment with mothers but not fathers was related to children's attachment in adolescence suggesting father attachment less important - quality of fathers play with infants was related to quality of adolescence attachments - fathers take more a playmate role
• FATHER EVALUATION - Geiger


  support for father as secondary attachment figure - showed father's play interactions are more exciting and pleasurable than mothers' while mothers are more nurturing and affectionate which supports idea of fathers being playmates rather than caregivers
• FATHER EVALUATION - affected economy


  one hand, research dictating fathers have important role led to pressure on government to change rights for fathers in terms of paternity pay - fathers have more time off work which receiving statutory paternity pay which affects employers and economy negatively - other hand, research showing fathers can be effective primary caregivers and form secure attachments with infants means that fathers could stay at home whilst mother returns to work - in situations mother earns higher salary, benefits economy