Antecedents of Fathering

Using data collected before the birth of couples 1st children a variety of antecedents of fathering were explored in a short-term longitudinal study of 30 middle and upper middle class men and their expectant wives. Interviews and rating scales tapped 6 areas: the marital relationship adjustment to expectancy sex typing financial and job concerns anticipated effects of parenthood and background information. 6 months postpartum fathers behavior with their infants was observed in 3 situations and their attitudes and home behaviors were assessed from self-reports. 3 fathering factors were defined: caretaking playfulness and satisfaction with fatherhood. Regression analyses were used to predict the 3 measures of fathering first from the scores of expectant men then from the scores of their expectant wives. The parenting scores of men and women were equally effective in predicting mens subsequent fathering. While there were similar predictors for mens caretaking and playfulness their wives scores yielded differential predictors for these aspects of fathering. The quality and nature of the marital relationship was significantly related to all aspects of fathering.