Abstract
This study investigated father-child relationships by recording fathers' level of involvement and by examining the quality of this relationship through attachment behaviors, play interactions, and social interactions. Although fathers were not as involved as mothers in child-rearing activities, children played at higher levels with their fathers. Children securely attached to their fathers played at significantly higher levels than did children insecurely attached to their fathers. Conversely, mothers with secure attachments to their children were more responsive and facilitative, and their children actively engaged in more social interaction, than in mother-child insecure dyads. These findings suggest that play is important for father-child relationships, whereas mother-child relationships revolve around social interactions.
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