Determinants of Fathers' Participation in Family Work

Abstract

Determinants of fathers participation in child care and household chores are examined in an interview study of 160 US caucasian middle-class mothers and fathers. This study examines maternal employment status as well as several aspects of mothers work patterns as potential determinants of paternal participation. Several aspects of fathers work patterns are also examined. 4 other parental categories of determinants of paternal participation include: 1) family structure 2) parental sex-role attitudes 3) parental socialization and 4) sociodemographic factors. Results indicate that maternal employment moderates the relationship between particular determinants and particular forms of paternal involvement. The effect of childs age and sex on fathers participation was significant for total interaction time and solo interaction time for the total sample and for fathers with nonemployed wives. In families with elementary-school-aged children fathers absolute participation is highest when the cildren are at the young end of the age range and decreases as the children mature presumably as children grow in independence and allow the father to respond to his preferences rather than to the demands of the family situation. In dual-earner families the mothers attitude toward the male role is also a major predictor of fathers participation. In families with nonemployed wives fathers attitudes toward the quality of fathering they received as youngsters is the most consistent predictor of participation. These findings support earlier research suggesting that fathers tend to compensate for perceived deprivation rather than initiate their fathers patterns.