role of the father

• Primary attachment figure


  Mostly the mother alone (60%): 30% both mother and father, 18 months 75% formed an attachment with their father, showing separation anxiety, suggesting they have a role in infants' lives
• Importance of active play

  • Play activities more consistently than mothers, emphasising stimulation, so it's thought their role is to encourage risk-taking behaviours compared to conforming styles of mothers
• In Western modern society, it's more likely mothers take part in the workplace if fathers take on the role of primary caregiver
• When fathers take on the role of primary caregiver, their interactional style changes to be more like mothers, increasing their capacity for sensitive responsiveness
• Biological testosterone levels drop when their partner is pregnant, as the body is preparing the father to take on the role to become more nurturing and responsive to child's needs
• When the father is the primary caregiver


  They show sensitive responsiveness
• The mother cannot be replaced in terms of social sensitivity
• Some factors may give fathers confidence to take a more active role
• There are economic implications of reduced males in the workforce
• Equalising maternity and paternity leave can help address the gender pay gap