Babies, Parenting, Child Health, Infant Nutrition

Baby Development – Ohio State University Study Reveals Mother’s Behavior Key to Father’s Involvement in Childcare

05.06.2008 | 12:52:26 pm | Posted by admin

By Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kid’s Nutrition Specialist

baby development, parenting There is certainly nothing like a mothers love, but plenty of research has shown that a father’s love is equally important. Mothers tend to be the predominate caregiver for babies, sometimes pining for an extra set of hands. It may come as a surprise to many mums to discover that they may play a key role in just how involved a father is in caring for a child’s needs.

A new study by Ohio State University found that mothers play an integral role in a father’s involvement with parenting. Ninety-seven Midwest couples were given surveys before the birth of their babies in order to determine the couples’ beliefs on the role of fathers in childrearing. The couples were either married or cohabitating and were expecting a child when the study began.

When the newborns reached 3.5 months of age, researchers also conducted in-home assessments videotaping both parents’ interaction with the baby in order to see how involved the fathers were and if their parenting skills were up to par. Parents once again filled out questionnaires detailing the mother’s protective behaviors and how she responds to the father’s assistance with either encouragement or disapproval. A separate questionnaire was then completed detailing the father’s involvement with child care and whether or not the couples got along when it came to the baby.

During the videotaped sessions, the couples were asked to change the baby’s clothes together so that researchers may note who did the majority of the work. While other studies of this nature neglected to look at how a mothers’ behavior affects fathers’ involvement, scholars have previously suggested that “gatekeeping″ by mothers occurs. Also, previous theories about maternal gatekeeping have only focused on a mother’s negative responses to a father’s care giving attempts neglecting to note that positive encouragement can be equally, if not more, important.

It turns out, the most positive reinforcement a father receives; the more likely he is to lend a helping hand. In regards to the study, it appears to be a case of the chicken and the egg. Researchers note more study is needed to determine whether a mother’s encouragement initiates more help from dad, or if more help from the father is responsible for mum’s positivity. Further researcher may come sooner than later, as the research team was granted funds for a long-term study on the causes and effects of maternal gatekeeping.

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