Attachment – The Role of the Father
Attachment – The Role of the Father
Courses Info
THE ROLE OF THE FATHER
- Many researchers see the father as a ‘play mate’ for the child – often more physical, unpredictable and exciting than mothers
- Mothers are seen as nurturing
- Senisitve responsiveness – recognising and responding appropriately to infants’ needs – mothers have traditionally been seen to show more sensitive responsiveness
Factors identified that affect the relationship between fathers and children
- Degree of sensitivity: fathers that are more sensitive towards their child’s needs are more likely to form secure attachments
- Type of attachment with own parents: single parent fathers tend to form similar attachments with their children that they had with their own parents
- Martial intimacy: the degree of intimacy a father has within his relationship with his partner tends to affect the type of attachment he will have with his children
- Supportive co-parenting: the amount of support a father gives to his partner in helping to care for children affects the type of attachment he will have with his children
Research
- Greiger – fathers’ play interactions are more exciting than mothers, while mothers are more nurturing and affectionate
- Lamb et al – evidence critiques Greiger – found that fathers who become the main attachment figure are to develop more sensitivity towards their child – suggestion that they can be nurturing
- Heerman – Women offer spontaneous emotional sensitivity to infant cues due to the female hormone oestrogen
Evaluation
| STRENGTHS | WEAKNESSES |
| – Reliable – evidence to support the idea of the father being the ‘play mate’, while the mother being more nurturing (Greiger) | – Biologically reductionist – suggests that females / mothers are more nurturing than fathers due to the female hormone oestrogen which increases emotional response to others’ needs (Heerman) |
| – Applicable – can be applicable to explaining the importance of child attachment. Research shows that children with secure attachments with their father go onto have strong relationships with peers, are able to regulate emotions and have less behaviour problems | – Social sensitivity – some children may not live with their father |
| – Supports nature debate | – Evidence which refutes father’s main role as a play mate (Lamb et al) |
| – Doesn’t account for individual differences – some children may live with only their mother |
Exam Questions
Q1) Outline and evaluate the role of the father in the development of attachment (16 marks)