Perceptions of Parental Role Responsibilities: Differences between Mothers and Fathers

Fathers'influence on the socialization of children and how it may differ from that of mothers was investigated by asking parents who were married and employed full-time to indicate whether the items on seven scales concerning parental role responsibilities were a major responsibility in regard to raising a male or a female child. Fathers and mothers reported high agreement in their perceptions of major parental role responsibilities for a male child; significantly less agreement occurred for a female child. In addition, mothers more than fathers reported similar parental role responsibilities towards a male and a female child. These results are discussed in the context of the father's role in the socialization process.