the role of the father

    Cards (6)

    • Schaffer and Emerson
      fathers far less likely to be primary attachment figures than mothers
    • Lamb
      little relationship between father accessibility (amount of time) and infant-father attachment.
    • men are not equipped
      lack the emotional sensitivity that women offer due to biological or social factors.
      biological - women have hormone oestrogen which underlies caring behaviour. women therefore more oriented to interpersonal goals than men
      social - cultural expectations, it is thought of as rather feminine to be sensitive to the needs of others
    • men and their sensitivity
      Heermann et al - men are less sensitive to infant cues than women
      Frodi et al - showed videotapes of infants crying and found no physiological differences in the responses of men and women.
    • men as primary attachment figures

      men form secure attachments with children, e.g. single-father households.
      Frank et al - two parent households where the father is primary caregiver, both parents often share the role of primary attachment figure
      men can be primary attachment figures but biological and social factors discourage this
    • men as secondary attachment figures

      fathers are important secondary attachment figures
      fathers are more playful, physically active and generally better at providing challenging situations for their children.
      Geiger - father is playmate, mother is conventional
      White and Woollet - lack of sensitivity is positive because it fosters problem-solving by making greater communicative and cognitive demands on children
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