This study was conducted on fathers who have infants to investigate the general tendency of their upbringing behaviors and their child upbringing participation behaviors according to socio-demographic variables, family environmental variables and fath...
This study was conducted on fathers who have infants to investigate the general tendency of their upbringing behaviors and their child upbringing participation behaviors according to socio-demographic variables, family environmental variables and fathers' role cognition so that this study helps improve desirable fathers' role and child upbringing participation behaviors by examining the effect of these variables on fathers' practical child upbringing participation behaviors.
A survey research was conducted on 350 fathers with infants in three daycare centers and three kindergartens located in Icheon from March 19 to 28, 2007. A total of 350 questionnaires were distributed and 218 questionnaires were collected. Finally, a total of 215 questionnaires were used for the study excluding insufficiently-answered ones.
For data analysis, the SPSS V. 12.0 statistical package program was used. In addition, for analytical methods, the t-test, one way ANOVA, Duncan's test, technical statistical analysis, correlation analysis, multiple linear regression analysis were used.
The study results are summarized as follows.
First, among 215 research targets, those of ages between 36-40, highschool graduates, professional jobs, and monthly income of 2.5-3.99 million won consisted of the majority. In addition, many of them had two children (both son and daughter), had infants whose age were four, had a working wife, and had a nuclear family.
Second, regarding fathers' child upbringing participation behavior, it was found that they were active in life guidance, while they were relatively negligent in learning guidance and house chores.
Third, regarding ideal father images, "obliging and talkable fathers" took the first place, followed by "correctly guiding and supervising fathers," "supportive fathers when in trouble," "morally example fathers," and "economically capable fathers."
Fourth, regarding fathers' child upbringing participation behavior, schooling and monthly income showed a statistically significant difference, however, age and occupation did not show a statistically significant difference according to child upbringing participation behavior.
Fifth, regarding fathers' role cognition levels, "social standards and values"(M=4.58) showed the highest level, followed by "emotional handling"(M=4.51), "basic demand offering"(M=4.40), "physical health and hygiene"(M=4.28), and "cognitional development"(M=4.14).
Sixth, the study found that cognitional development factors had a statistically positive correlation with learning guidance factors, and respectively, emotional handling factors with life guidance factors, physical health and hygiene factors with learning guidance, playing activity and life guidance factors, social standards and value factors with life guidance factors, and basic demand offering factors with learning guidance, playing activity, life guidance and house chore factors. In general, it was found that role cognition factors and role activity factors were complementary to each other.
Seventh, as a result of analyzing the effect of fathers' child upbringing participation behavior factors on learning guidance role behavior, family type and basic demand offering factors had a statistically significant effect. In addition, a model explaining child upbringing participation behavior showed a F-value of 2.209, which was statistically significant at a 0.01 significance level.
Based on these study results, several plans for improving desirable fathers' role and child upbringing participation behavior are suggested as the following.
First, more active fathers' role is required in child upbringing. Through systematic and concrete education for fathers' role, practical programs for both fathers and infants should be offered.
Second, considering a high correlation with fathers' role cognition, the significance of fathers' role should be enlightened to improve fathers' child upbringing participation. Therefore, it is required to develop various programs that raise the significance of fathers' role in infant development.
Third, social supports are needed along with individual consciousness and efforts for fathers' active participation in child upbringing.
Fourth, in this rapidly changing modern society, it is needed to reconsider the parental role of young parents who work together and have various jobs regardless of gender.