Caregiving role rather than gender has a predominant influence
on parent interaction in nonstressful as well as stressful
situations. Primary caregiving fathers can competently assume
caregiving and nurturant functions so as to become their infants'
primary attachment figures.
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.
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