Mothers' Beliefs Influence Fathers' Parenting Behaviors
Posted: Dec. 19, 2005
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Although fathers are quick to say that parenting is an important piece of who they are that identity doesn't always play out in their parenting behaviors according to a U of I study.
Brent McBride is a professor of human development. He says that the best predictor of how involved a father will actually be with his children is the mother's beliefs about fatherhood. McBride's study, followed 30 families with children between two and three years of age. In some families he observed what researchers call "maternal gatekeeping" in which the mothers played a critical role in how involved a father will be.
Gatekeeping can be very subtle, and it may not be intentional, McBride said. A mother may feel she just doesn't have time to teach her partner a particular parenting skill.
McBride says that it's important that fathers get positive feedback about their parenting efforts so they'll continue to do them and live up to their expectations of themselves as fathers -- which would benefit the entire family in the long run.