Describe and evaluate the role of the father (16 marks)
While traditionally the role of the father would have been limited, as they would go to work and
provide resources and the mother took care of the children, recently the role of the father has
significantly changed. However, psychologists disagree over the exact role of the father. Some
researchers claim that men are simply not equipped to form an attachment. Such psychologists
point to biological evidence which suggests that the hormone oestrogen underlies caring
behaviour in women, and the lack of oestrogen in men is why they are unable to form a close
attachment. Other researchers argue that fathers do not take on a caregiver role since they
provide the role of a playmate instead. Finally, other researchers believe that fathers can
demonstrate sensitive responsiveness and respond to the needs of their children so they can
form strong attachment bonds.
Research evidence suggests that fathers are not to provide a sensitive and nurturing
attachment. Hrdy (1999) found that fathers were less able to detect low levels of infant distress
compared to mothers. These results seem to support the biological explanations highlighted
above: the lack of oestrogen in men means that fathers are less biologically equipped to form
close attachments to their children. This suggests that the role of the father is biologically
determined, and a fathers role is restricted due to their biological make-up. However, since
some fathers are able to form close attachments with their children, this suggests that a softer
view of determinism is more appropriate. This provides further evidence as to why fathers are
not to provide a nurturing attachment as they are not biologically equipped to do so.
Another strength is that there is research evidence that provides support for the role of the
father as a ‘playmate’. Research by Geiger found that fathers' play interactions were more
exciting than mother’s, however mothers’ play interactions were more seen as nurturing and
affectionate. This suggests that the role of the father is in fact a playmate and not a sensitive
parent who responds to the needs of their children. These results also confirm that the mother
takes on the more nurturing role and supports the role of the father as a playmate.
However, research suggests that fathers are able to form secure attachments with their children
if they are in an intimate marriage. Belsky et al found that males who reported higher levels of
marital intimacy also displayed a strong father-infant attachment, whereas males with low levels
of marital intimacy displayed insecure father-infant attachments. This suggests that males can
form secure attachments with their children, however this also depends on the father-mother
relationship.
While traditionally the role of the father would have been limited, as they would go to work and
provide resources and the mother took care of the children, recently the role of the father has
significantly changed. However, psychologists disagree over the exact role of the father. Some
researchers claim that men are simply not equipped to form an attachment. Such psychologists
point to biological evidence which suggests that the hormone oestrogen underlies caring
behaviour in women, and the lack of oestrogen in men is why they are unable to form a close
attachment. Other researchers argue that fathers do not take on a caregiver role since they
provide the role of a playmate instead. Finally, other researchers believe that fathers can
demonstrate sensitive responsiveness and respond to the needs of their children so they can
form strong attachment bonds.
Research evidence suggests that fathers are not to provide a sensitive and nurturing
attachment. Hrdy (1999) found that fathers were less able to detect low levels of infant distress
compared to mothers. These results seem to support the biological explanations highlighted
above: the lack of oestrogen in men means that fathers are less biologically equipped to form
close attachments to their children. This suggests that the role of the father is biologically
determined, and a fathers role is restricted due to their biological make-up. However, since
some fathers are able to form close attachments with their children, this suggests that a softer
view of determinism is more appropriate. This provides further evidence as to why fathers are
not to provide a nurturing attachment as they are not biologically equipped to do so.
Another strength is that there is research evidence that provides support for the role of the
father as a ‘playmate’. Research by Geiger found that fathers' play interactions were more
exciting than mother’s, however mothers’ play interactions were more seen as nurturing and
affectionate. This suggests that the role of the father is in fact a playmate and not a sensitive
parent who responds to the needs of their children. These results also confirm that the mother
takes on the more nurturing role and supports the role of the father as a playmate.
However, research suggests that fathers are able to form secure attachments with their children
if they are in an intimate marriage. Belsky et al found that males who reported higher levels of
marital intimacy also displayed a strong father-infant attachment, whereas males with low levels
of marital intimacy displayed insecure father-infant attachments. This suggests that males can
form secure attachments with their children, however this also depends on the father-mother
relationship.
