Fathers' participation in day care

Abstract

Day care researchers have primarily examined the roles and responsibilities of women. As a result, information about the experiences of fathers in day care is limited and less well focused. Four aspects of child care, including the location of care, fathers' type and level of involvement, and family structure, were used to organize a review of research concerning fathers' roles and involvement in day care. The following questions were considered. Where and how do fathers participate in day care? What factors encourage or discourage their participation, commitment and involvement? What effect does fathers' increased involvement in the care of children within the family have on their participation in day care? How might increased father participation in day care affect other members of the day care system? Questions such as these must be addressed before fathers’, as well as mothers’, roles and responsibilities in day care can be understood and evaluated.