The Role of the Father

Statistics of the fathers role in child development..

Schaffer found that infants’ primary attachment figure was most frequently their mother alone (65%); 30% both parents and only 3% the father alone. However at 18 months 75% of infants had formed an attachment with their father, showing separation anxiety, suggesting fathers play an important role in their infant’s lives

The importance of active play..

Fathers are seen to engage babies in active ‘play’ activities more consistently than mothers. Fathers’ interactions emphasise stimulation, so it is thought their role is to encourage risk-taking behaviours, compared to the more comforting style of mothers

The father as a primary caregiver..

In modern Western society, mothers are more likely to take part in the workplace; there is evidence to suggest that if men take on the role of primary caregivers, their interactional style changes to be more likely mothers, increasing their capacity for sensitive responsiveness

AO3 - Field (1978)

Observed primary caretaker mothers, primary caretaker fathers, and secondary caretaker fathers interacting with their 4 month old infants, finding fathers, in general, focused more on game playing and less on holding. Additionally, the primary caretaker fathers showed more sensitively responsive behaviour, similar to mothers, eg they used more smiling and child directed speech than secondary caretaker fathers

AO3 - Verissimo (2011)

Observed preschool children’s relationships with their mothers and fathers, then later conducted a follow up assessment of social interactions when the child started nursery. A strong attachment to the father was the best predictor of the ability to make friends in school, suggesting an important role for fathers in socialisation

Socially Sensitive Research - AO3

Research on the role of the father is socially sensitive. Research that argues the role of the mother cannot be replaced by the father may lead to father led single families and families with two fathers feeling they cannot fully provide for the needs of infants, while research that suggests fathers can provide that role may give all father’s the confidence to take a more active role in their child’s caregiving

Economic Implications - AO3

There are economic implications to research assessing the importance of the father’s role; this could lead to legislation that ensures equal paternity and maternity. While this may reduce the number of males in the workforce, reduce economic activity, and place pressure on businesses, equalising maternity and paternity leave should help to address the gender pay gap, which is in part due to the need to extend absences by mothers caring for their infants