Stereotypes IDENTIFIERS *Housework; Satisfaction

This study addresses the nature, extent, antecedents, and consequences of father-s ' participation in child care and home chores. Data was collected from 160 families with children in kindergarten and fourth-grade classes. The sample was equally divided between the two grade levels and within each grade level by sex. Within each of the four groups thus formed, half the mothers were employed. Dimensions of fathers ' participation selected for analysis included total, proportional, and solo interaction time; solo performance of specific child care tasks; and performance of traditionally feminine household chores. Antecedents thought to influence fathers- ' participation included mother's and father's employment status and pattern, demographics, family structure, parental attitudes, and parental socialization. Consequences of fathers ' participation were conceptualized as involving role strain and well-being. Children's sex role-related beliefs and values were measured by assessing attitudes concerning children's activities, adult occupational roles, and adult family roles, and by addressing several dimensions uithin each domain. Results provide descriptive data on each of the five father participation variables, correlational data describing the relationship between antecedents and the five father participation variables, consequences of fathers' participation for parents, descriptive data concerning children's sex role attitudes, and consequences for children of fathers' participation. A four-page reference list and 28 tables are appended