Question

Except for the birthing process and breastfeeding, do you think that a mother’s position as a
caregiver of an infant or child is biologically different from that of a father? Why? What examples
can you provide that supports your answer?

Answer
The mother’s position as a caregiver is biologically different from the father’s because
throughout history the mother’s have always been the nurturing caregiver, while father’s have
been the ones to provide for the family. Father’s are typically the parent that goes out to hunt,
work, and come home to provide for the family. While mothers are the ones who stay home with
the children and take care of them.
Both parents typically decide which parent is more of the nurturing parent, and which
one is more of the disciplinary parent. Typically the mother is more nurturing parent. They
provide for the basic needs of their child. The mother is generally the parent that the child goes
to when he/she is injured, hungry, sad, etc. The mother is also the parent that normally takes
care of the child the most when the child can’t sleep, including co-sleeping (Berger, 2014, 99),
or when the child is sick. The child also attaches his/herself to the mother faster than the father
(Berger, 2014, 142). The child or infant attaches themselves to their mother faster than their
father because the mother is normally the one who provides the feeding, diaper changes,
contact-maintaining (Berger, 2014, 142), and proximity-seeking. Throughout history typically the
mothers have stayed home to raise their children therefore teaching their children basic life
skills which include walking, talking, eating, etc.
Fathers are influencers of psychosocial development. Fathers bond with their children by
teaching them skills like hunting, fishing, sports, mechanical, and to be providers. Fathers
inadvertently provide the child with stability and security by demonstrating family dedication to
provide for their family. Father-infant relationships can teach infants (typically boys) appropriate
emotion expressions, particularly anger (Berger, 2014, 148). In some cultures and ethnic
groups the fathers have a high rate of involvement with their infants and children. “For example,
Denmark has a high rate of father involvement. 97 percent of fathers are at the infant's birth. 83
percent change diapers everyday. 61 percent feed the infant. And 98 percent play with their
infant ( Munck, 2009).”
Both parents show their child social referencing ( Berger, 2014, 147), if their child was
being bullied at daycare or school the father and mother would have different reactions that
would cause the child to react and learn. A mother would talk to the child and the teacher or the
other parent about the situation to figure things out and how to fix the problem. While a father
would be more protective of pride and self-worth.
Berger, K. S. (2014). Invitation to the Life Span (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers.
Munck, Hanne. (2009). Early Intervention and Fatherhood. Denmark.