ROLE OF THE FATHER

• What is classed as the father in attachment research?

  Anyone who takes on the role of primary male caregiver, doesn’t need to be biologically related
• Who is usually the primary caregiver?

  Mother - Schaffer and Emerson found majority of babies attach to mother first at around 7 months, only 3% it was the father

  27% mother and father were joint
• how many babies form secondary attachments to the father?

  75% had formed secondary attachments by 18 months, indicated by fact babies protested when father walked away
• What did Grossman et al say about the role of the father?

  suggested that fathers play a greater role in play and emotional stimulation and less in emotional development. Shows fathers are important but in a different way
• What did Field say about the role of the father?

  found fathers can be the more emotion focused primary attachment figure. the key is the level of responsiveness not the gender
• Why did Grossman et al say fathers aren’t important?

  the quality of a babies attachment with the mother and not father was more important in adolescence suggesting fathers attachment is less important
• what did McCallum and Golombok say about the role of the father?

  children growing up in single or same sex families do not develop any differently to those in two parent heterosexual families. suggests fathers don’t have distinctive role
• What are the economic implications of research into role of the father?

  Gender pay gap may close if the roles are seen as equal

  more fathers remain at home and contribute less to the economy, consequently more mothers work
• strengths of research into role of father

  using findings in parenting advice - mothers feel less pressure on having to stay home with children, fathers can share the roles
• limitations of research into role of father

  confusion over research questions - some psychologists want to research fathers secondary attachment while others want primary. They both conflict and can’t answer the question

  Conflicting evidence - Grossman fathers more involved in play but McCallum and Golombok say those without a father don’t develop differently, still leaves question unanswered

  COUNTERARGUMENT families without father may develop and adapt to not having one