Gender Congruence and Social Mediation as Influences on Fathers' Caregiving

Abstract

This investigation compared two competing theories of parenting behavior, Gender Congruence Theory and Social Mediation Theory, in a sample of fathers and mothers using both role-level and domain-level measures, and scale and pie chart measures. Results provided support for both theories, but more consistently upheld the predictions of Social Mediation Theory than Gender Congruence Theory. The perceived behaviors of other fathers predicted fathers' own behaviors at both the role and domain level. Pie chart measures did not yield significant regression models for fathers and produced models of limited utility for mothers.

Use of Identity Theory to Inform Fathering Scholarship

“…Across all studies that we designated as assessing commitment, differences and similarities in findings are noted. Two studies examined only reflected appraisals (Maurer, ; McBride & Rane, ). In the former case, reflected appraisals were associated with both status‐level behaviors; in the latter case, they were not associated with status‐ or role‐level identities and behaviors.…”

“…Scholars have used other proxies for measuring commitment, such as perceptions of other fathers (Maurer, ; Maurer & Pleck, ) and coparenting conflict and cooperation (Henley & Pasley, ). Overall, these authors' findings show that such perceptions are also linked with behaviors.…”

“…Scales have been used to tap attitudes toward or perceptions of the father status (Fox & Bruce, 2001;Ihinger-Tallman et al, 1993) or roles associated with fathering (e.g., Maurer, Pleck, & Rane, 2003), with resulting scores that indicate stronger or weaker identity. Others have used pie charts or penny-sort tasks, in which fathers assign portions of the pie or allocate pennies to different statuses or roles on the basis of self-ascribed importance, psychological or emotional investment, or time spent (e.g., Maurer, 2007;McBride et al, 2005).…”

“…Using our designation of the constructs (again noted in parentheses in Table 1), 25 studies used quantitative methods, and 21 of them show findings of a link between identity constructs Father construct more "we" identities at role level; yes for fathers with "we" identity in arranging and/or planning activities and playing; mother with "we" identity linked with fathers doing more caretaking, teaching, and arranging; mother and father work hours influence associations (salience, centrality, commitment) and behaviors. In 19 of the studies, identity salience and/or centrality were measured at the status level (e.g., Bruce & Fox, 1999;Henley & Pasley, 2005); six also included measures at the role level (e.g., Habib & Lancaster, 2006;Maurer, 2007;Rane & McBride, 2000); and two studies (Maurer et al, 2001;Maurer & Pleck, 2006) addressed only role-level identity. Further, two studies included specific assessments of only salience (Bruce & Fox, 1999;DeGarmo & Forgatch, 2002), five of only centrality (e.g., Adamsons & Pasley, 2013;Habib & Lancaster, 2006), and six with both salience and centrality (e.g., Adamsons, 2013;Rane & McBride, 2000).…”

“…Further, two studies included specific assessments of only salience (Bruce & Fox, 1999;DeGarmo & Forgatch, 2002), five of only centrality (e.g., Adamsons & Pasley, 2013;Habib & Lancaster, 2006), and six with both salience and centrality (e.g., Adamsons, 2013;Rane & McBride, 2000). Three studies include identity commitment, typically measured as reflected appraisals or perceived reflected appraisals (e.g., Maurer et al, 2001), of which two included salience (Henley & Pasley, 2005;Pasley et al, 2002) and five included centrality (e.g., Maurer, 2007;Maurer & Pleck, 2006;McBride & Rane, 1997). Although not labeling the constructs as commitment, six other studies measured reflected appraisals and perceived reflected appraisals, and by our criteria, they assessed commitment (e.g., Fox & Bruce, 2001;Maurer, 2007;McBride et al, 2005).…”