Gender-role orientation in parents: a factor contributing to prenatal coparental interactions in primiparous families

Abstract

ABSTRACT The coparental relationship is central for the development of the child and the well-being of parents. In Western societies, gender-role stereotypes are strongly associated with domestic and family work. To date, few data are available to assess the links between identification with gender roles and coparenting interactions. In this study, primiparous parents (N = 50) were seen in the laboratory at the fifth month of pregnancy. Parents were asked to play with their baby at the first meeting by using a doll in accordance with the procedure of the prenatal Lausanne Trilogue Play. Parents’ identification with gender roles, marital satisfaction, and the history of the couple were assessed through self-reported questionnaires. Results showed that (a) feminine traits are most represented in mothers and feminine and androgynous traits are most represented in fathers and (b) being feminine in fathers is linked with better prenatal coparental interactions.