FATHER INVOLVEMENT IN INFANT CARE - 2 LONGITUDINAL-STUDIES

Data collected from two samples of fathers in separate longitudinal st udies were compared. One sample consisted of 53 first-time fathers and the other of 69 multiple-time fathers. A post-test only time-series d esign was used for both studies, and both employed the same procedures and instruments. The studies examined role enactment of fathers with different child-caring experiences using role-theory concepts. Fathers ' normative expectations, personal expectations, and personal learning about parenting were tested to determine if they were predictive of p aternal role performance. The findings seem to indicate that the cultu re of fatherhood has changed more rapidly than the conduct of fatherho od.