Do children typically develop attachments to their fathers? If ...

[natalie2426]

Do children typically develop attachments to their fathers? If so, what is the nature of those relationships?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

What are the theoretical views on social and emotional development in middle childhood?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

[bobsmith]

Answer to Question 1

Attachment typically first develops between infants and their mothers but babies soon become attached to fathers, too. Most fathers spend more time playing with their babies than taking care of them. And fathers emphasize physical play whereas mothers spend more time reading and talking to babies, showing them toys, and playing quiet games (Paquette, 2004). Many infants prefer to play with fathers but turn to mothers when distressed (Field, 1990). (This selection is taken directly from the textbook, but provides a brief-essay answer to this question.)

Answer to Question 2

Although there are various theories about social and emotional development during
middle childhood, there are common themes: (1) the development of skills, (2) the
importance of interpersonal relationships, and (3) the expansion of self-understanding.
Freud viewed middle childhood as a period of latency. The sexual feelings of childhood
are repressed, and this allows the child to focus on developing intellectual, social, and
cultural skills. Erikson looked at the middle childhood years as a time of acquiring
cognitive and social skills. Children who master this stage feel industrious while those
who do not experience feelings of inferiority. Piaget focused on the stage of concrete
operations. The child becomes less egocentric, which allows the child to increasingly
take the perspective of others.

[natalie2426]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

[Sarahjh]

Excellent