Men and Women in the Family

Abstract

It is assumed by many workers in adult development and related fields that emotional relationships in the family have greater significance to women than to men (e.g., Rubin, 1983). In particular, it is argued that the greater biological and social role involvement of women in parenthood leads to greater psychological investment in the raising and nurturing of children (Rossi, 1984). This investment is presumed to originate during pregnancy and remain high for the duration of the woman’s life. A very different picture of men as fathers is emerging, though, as part of the outpouring of research on sex roles that began in the late 1970s. These studies portray men as being keenly affected by their interactions with their children (e.g., Cath, Gurwitt, & Ross, 1982). In part, the studies on fathering may be reflecting changes in society as a whole associated with the feminist movement. Men are being given greater encouragement and freedom to develop as parents through vehicles such as paternity leaves and the awarding of joint custody in divorce cases.