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The Role of the Father - Coggle Diagram
The Role of the Father
Traditionally fathers have been seen to have played a minor role in the parenting of their children , some would argue males are biologically unsuitable to raise children .
In the past children were raised by married couples , the father going to work to provide resources for his family , while the mother stayed at home to look after her children until they were of school age
However it is now the norm for mothers to have a job , in 2013 5.3 million british mothers were employed , with males comprising nearly 10% of those who care for children while their partner goes out to work .
9% of british single parents ( 186000) are male , evidently many men are having a much bigger role in parenting than before
Bowlby believed that children have one primary attachment figure , usually the mother , though he conceded that this could in some cases be the father . Many researchers have seen the father as less of a caregiver , but more of a playmate as fathers play is often more physical , unpredictable and exciting than mothers
Mothers have traditionally been seen , due to their perceived nurturing nature , as more able to show sensitive responsiveness , but it seems that males can quickly develop this ability when assuming the position of main care providers
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Hrdy ( 1999 ) reported that fathers are less able than mothers to detect low levels of infant distress which suggests that males are less suitable as prime attachment figures . However Lamb ( 1987 ) found that fathers who become main care providers seem to be able to quickly develop more sensitivity to childrens needs and become a safe base from which to explore , which suggests sensitive responsivenessisnt a biological ability limited to women
Geiger ( 1996 ) showed that fathers play interactions are more exciting and pleasurable than mothers , while mothers are more nurturing and affectionate , which supports the idea of father being playmates rather than caregivers . However Lamb ( 1987 ) found that children often prefer interacting with fathers when in a positive emotional state and thus seeking stimulation ( mothers are preferred when children are distressed and seeking comfort ) . This supports the idea of fathers being preferred as playmates , but only in certain conditions
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Bernier and Milikkovitch ( 2009 ) - study supported fathers attachment being similar to the attachment they had with their own parents
Evaluation
Children with secure attachments to their fathers go on to have better relationships with peers , less problem behaviours and more able to regulate their emotions : illustrating the positive influence fathers can have on developmental outcomes
Children who grew up without fathers have often been seen to do less well at school and have higher levels of risk taking and aggression , especially in boys . This suggests fathers can help prevent negative developmental outcomes . However Pederson ( 1979 ) points out that most studies have focused on female single mothers from poor socio-economic backgrounds so it may be social factors related to poverty that produce these outcomes
Fathers are important not just for children but for mothers too . Supportive fathers provide mothers with much needed time away from childcare . This can help reduce stress in mothers , improve self esteem and improve the quality of the relationship with the child
Although evidence shows that men are as able as women to display sensitive responsiveness and from secure attachments with children . For example many airline companies will not permit males to sit next to non related children on aeroplanes , no such restrictions apply to females
When fathers spend more time with their children , the children develop more secure attachments , which suggests the amount of interaction is the important factor . However it may be the fathers with more sensitivity to their children's needs interact with them more
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