Fathers' and mothers' childcare ideas and paternal childcare participation.

• Main Author: Fletcher, Ryan G.
• Other Authors: Seward, Rudy Ray
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: University of North Texas 2001
• Subjects: Father and child.; Child care.; fathers; fathering; family; paternal
• Online Access: https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc2806/

The relationship between fathers' and mothers' gender-role ideas and fathers' level of participation in general housework has been well documented. Data from a study in 1998 were used to explore specific aspects of this relationship. In particular, fathers' and mothers' genderrole ideas with regard to childcare (childcare ideas) was examined to see whether these ideas influence paternal childcare participation. Specifically, what impact they had on performance of childcare tasks and the time fathers spent with their children. The responses of 38 couples (76 individuals) were analyzed. No statistically significant relationships were found between the variables. The distribution of the data suggests that even though most fathers claimed to have nontraditional childcare ideas, most mothers still performed the great majority of childcare tasks.