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Fathers as Primary Caregivers

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By Brenda Geiger

Foreword by Joan Newman

ISBN: 0-313-29919-6

ISBN-13: 978-0-313-29919-3

DOI:

168 pages, tables

Greenwood Press

Publication: 4/30/1996

List Price: $110.95 (UK Sterling Price: £65.00)

Availability:

Media Type: Hardcover

Also Available: Ebook

Trim Size: 6 1/8 x 9 1/4

Subjects:

Education » Childhood & Elementary Education

Series Title: Contributions in Family Studies

Series Number: 17

Description: Based on videotaped home observations, Dr. Geiger examines the unique and interactive effects of the gender of the caregiver and the primacy of the caregiver role on parent-infant interaction. Dr. Geiger observed 56 parents of different gender (father-mother) and caregiving role (primary-secondary) interacting with their infant in a non-stressful situation. Then infants were placed under stress in a modified version of the Strange Situation. A gender X caregiving role analysis of variance indicated no gender or role effect for parents' and infants' affiliative behaviors under nonstressful conditions except for fathers' rough tumble play. A caregiving role and/or a gender X role interaction effect was observed on the attachment behaviors of parents (caregiving and displaying affection) and of infants (displaying affection, clinging, moving away, and exploring). Infants' play interaction was most synchronous with that of primary caregiving fathers. Finally, the caregiver role effect indicated on all infants' attachment behaviors under stress showed a distinctive preference for primary caregivers (fathers or mothers) with disregard for gender. Dr. Geiger's study indicates that primary caregiving fathers can be as competent as primary and secondary caregiving mothers. They were more affectionate, and despite an increased amount of assumed caregiving and household chores, primary caregiving fathers were more involved and in greater synchrony with their infant's play activities than primary or secondary caregiving mothers. This study challenges sex-role stereotypes and suggests benefits of modeling a more egalitarian upbringing. It presents strategies to resolve the dilemma of day care for infants. This book will be of great interest to students, scholars, and other researchers involved with early childhood education, socioemotional development of children, and developmental psychology, especially once it is acknowledged that father care in the home for infants less than one year of age has become the most common form of primary nonmaternal care arrangement (21.6%) adopted by employed mothers.

Table of Contents:

Foreword by Joan Newman
Introduction
Theoretical Background on Father-Infant Interaction
Literature Review on Father-Infant Interaction
Methodology
Results
Discussion: Primary Caregiving Fathers and Egalitarian Upbringing
Appendix A: Parents' Interview Guide
Appendix B: Behavioral Definitions of Parents' and Infants' Behaviors
Appendix C: Coding Sheets for Parents' and Infants' Behaviors
Appendix D: Intersession Reliability of Parents' and Infants' Behaviors
Appendix E: Parents' Background Information
Appendix F: Mean Frequencies of Parents' and Infants' Behaviors in a Nonstressful Situation
Bibliography
Index

LC Card Number: 95-41688

LCC Class: BF720

Dewey Class: 155


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