Male/female conceptualization differences in children of single fathers and dual parent families

Fifteen single fathers and their children and fifteen presently married fathers and their children were Ss in this study to investigate differences in male/female conceptualizations between the children of the two diff~rent family structures as well as the influence of the fathers' self-reported sex-role on the children. The BEM Sex-Role Inventory was administered to the fathers and the Kagen Symbolic Conceptualization Test was given ' to the children. Analysis results indicate no sex-role di1"ferences among both groups of fathers. Children's responses were significant when 1) scores of children of married fathers and children of single fathers were compared on the feminine dimensions (F=4.70, p=4.00); 2) male children of both groups were compared (F=10.75, p=4.17); and 3) sons and daughters of married f"athers were compared (F=13.67, p=4.24). Future research needs to be done in the area of parent-child interactions in the single father situation. Male/Female Conceptualization Differences in Children of Single Fathers and Dual Parent Families Introduction In recent years, the family structure in America has been faced with many changes. With an ever increasing divorce rate and in the liberation of child custody laws, a new phenomenon is emerging the single-parent father. In nearly a half-million families in the United States, the father is the primary parent because there is no mother present in the nousehold. By definition, a single-parent father is a man who is rearing his minor children without the assistance of a co-parent. The parent may be single due to widowhood, divorce, separation, non-marriage or single parent adoption. With ninety percent of children in oneparent families residing with the mothef most studies have been directed toward the father-absence phenomenon. But little research has been paid to the aspect of mother-absence. In todays' world, lj the single father's role is both new and atypical. How does this uncharacteristic role that the father plays affect the male/female conceptualizations of his children? The focus of the present paper is to investigate the presbence or absence of differences in \ the male/female conceptualizations of children of single fathers and of children of dual parent families. 2. Literature dealing with single fathers and their children is sparse. Those recent studies avaible concentrate on the adjustment needed to be made on the part of the father. Gasser and Taylor (1976) interviewed forty single fathers liMing with a dependant child or children under eight years of age. The fathers were given a list of six items representing activities necessary to the functiong of a household and were asked to indicate a) invol~ent e in the tasks while living with their wives, b) involvment at present and c) perception of degree of difficulty in carrying out these tasks. Gasser and Taylor found that fathers today appear to be more familiar with roles in home management and childcare than expected. The majority of the fathers handled the responsibilities of management alone or with their children, implying a greater interchange of former role stereotypes. But how does this interchange of roles affect the children's conceptualizations of sexroles? Do they find conflicts when comparing themselves to dual parent families? A similar investigation was made by Mendes (1976) where thirtytwo single fathers were interviewed for about three hours. The four major areas that were examined in the interview were: a) the supervision and protection of children, b) homemaking, c) the emotional needs of children and d) rearing daughters in a•m~ther,, less home. Comparisons of all thirty-two fathers revealed very similar problems and concerns. A major problem was that of synchronizing a work schedule with a school schedule so that the children are not left alone. They all complained of the fact that