Need some help with developmental psychology

[eauclaireliberal]

I have an assignment to do for developmental psych, and what I need are parents to fill in the survey below, which my instructor created. I appreciate it very, very much.
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Interview-The Father's Role in Infant Care-Unit 6

Sex:
Approximate age:
Racial background:
Education level achieved:
Approximate socioeconomical level:

1. Can fathers provide the same quality of care that mothers provide?
2. Should fathers share equally in the care of an infant?
3. Should fathers be granted custody of infants in the case of divorce?
4. If the father does have sole custody of an infant, would it be better if he lived with a woman (his mother, sister) or hired a female caregiver for the infant?
5. If both the mother and the father are available to take care of the infant, which of the following should the father do?
a. feed the infant
b. change diapers
c. put the infant to bed
d. get up to care for the infant during the night
e. take the infant for medical checkups
f. bathe the infant
g. play with the infant
h. take the infant for walks

[Ilsa]

1. Don't forget...

providing breastmilk for the baby is a very important decision to make regarding the health of the baby. The stats support it. That should be factored in as well.

I will also comment that my boys were extremely close to me when they were little. Access to me was very important to them, but now they go nuts over their daddy, and they prefer that he do certain things with them.

(I probably made it harder, didn't I?)

[eauclaireliberal]

8. RE: "Don't forget..."

Actually, there was a pro and con discussion regarding breast milk and bottlefeeding. But that was Unit 5.

Thank you

[Ilsa]

9. How old is that book?

World Health Organization recommends two years. American Academy of Pediatrics recommends one year and longer if mother and baby wish to continue. The health benefits are substantial. If formula was that great, they wouldn't keep changing it to make it more like human milk.

[RC]

2. All of the above, except

Take the infant for walks. infants as a rule can't walk.

I know something about this. I raised my two girls from ages 3 & 5 to adulthood by my self.

[lisa58]

3. I'll Help

Sex: Female
Age: 46
Race: White
Education: HS Grad
Approx Socio/Economic Level: Rich

1. Yes - if they pay attention to the development of the child.
2. Yes
3. In certain cases absolutely - see #1
4. Only if he felt it was necessary (love is love it doesn't matter who provides it)
5. All/both - it should be interchangeable. If the care of the infant can be shared it strengthens the bonds between both parents and the child as well as between the parents. When you know you can take a break from the "neediness" of an infant it relieves the stress of someone being completely dependent on you for their survival.

Hope this helps - if you have any more questions, please ask.

[Ilsa]

4. Oh, I misunderstood your assignment...

Here you go:
Sex: female
46
Caucasian
college grad; grad work
middle income
1. generally yes.
2. yes. Fathers need to share in the care so the infant develops attachment to the father as well as the mother. "Equally" can sometimes mean scewed one way or the other from time to time.
3. Yes, if the mother is unfit. I think very young children though still feel a stronger need to be with their mothers more of the time. Some infants, if they are nursing exclusively, cannot easily be separated from their mothers, especially overnight. Shared custody may take longer to achieve until the infant is older.
4. I think having interaction with both sexes is a good idea, so I guess I would say yes.
5. Share in as many activities as possible.

[tigereye]

5. ok

Sex: female
Approximate age: mid 40s
Racial background: White
Education level achieved: post masters level
Approximate socioeconomical level: middle

1. Can fathers provide the same quality of care that mothers provide?
yes
2. Should fathers share equally in the care of an infant? yes, of course
3. Should fathers be granted custody of infants in the case of divorce? Possibly, depends on how debilitated the mother is. And courts are much more sensitive to the importance of father involvement than they used to be.
4. If the father does have sole custody of an infant, would it be better if he lived with a woman (his mother, sister) or hired a female caregiver for the infant?
Possibly, depends on how young he is, I think babies need female and male interaction, but the dad might need the support more than the baby needs the female interaction. I know several guys who care for kids young and old really well on their own.
5. If both the mother and the father are available to take care of the infant, which of the following should the father do?
a. feed the infant
b. change diapers
c. put the infant to bed
d. get up to care for the infant during the night
e. take the infant for medical checkups
f. bathe the infant
g. play with the infant
h. take the infant for walks

Dammit, all of it. It is absurd to think otherwise. That's what my husband did. And it was very cool. It is also absurd to think that make bonding and support are less critical than that of mothers. Mothers need that help too. :)

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. here are my answers

Sex: female
Approximate age: 51
Racial background: white
Education level achieved: masters +
Approximate socioeconomical level: middle class

1. yes
2. yes
3. Depends on the situation. If the father is determined to be a more fit parent, then yes
4. not necessarily
5. all

[RetroLounge]

7. Here you go

Sex: Male (Father of 2)
Approximate age: 44
Racial background: White
Education level achieved: Graduate Degree
Approximate socioeconomical level: Middle

1. Yes.
2. Yes.
3. Depends on the situation. Father no more or no less than mothers.
4. Nope.
5. Equally.

RL