AFRICAN-AMERICAN FATHERS INVOLVEMENT WITH INFANTS - RELATIONSHIP TO THEIR FUNCTIONING STYLE, SUPPORT, EDUCATION, AND INCOME

Using the cultural and human ecology models as a guide, African-Americ an fathers' involvement with infants as a function of whether their wi fe worked full-time or part-time, and the association between father i nvolvement and fathers' functional styles within the family, family su pport, income. and education were examined. Fathers were less likely t o engage in and devote time to basic caregiving activities than were m others. Paternal investment in childcare did not differ as a function of whether wives worked full-time or part-time outside of the home. Fa thers were more likely to invest time in playing with the infant than in feeding or cleaning. Fathers' ability to communicate effectively wi thin the family and their commitment to the family were significantly associated with their degree of involvement in feeding and comforting infants. The data are discussed with respect to role differentiation i n caregiving in African-American families.