Fathers' caregiving in low-income African-American and Hispanic-American families

The present study assessed fathers' and mothers' relative involvement in infant caregiving tasks in 34 low-income African-American and Hispanic-American families. Analysis showed that involvement in childcare differed as a function of the gender of the parent. Fathers spent one half the time mothers did in caregiving. However, fathers' and mothers' participation in caregiving did not vary as a function of ethnic group. African-American parents reported to have received more family support than Hispanic-American parents. Although relationships were noted between age, income, education, length of marriage, social support, and involvement in infant caregiving, these sociodemographic variables did not predict parents' participation in childcare. The results are discussed in relation to the preconceived notion that low-income, minority fathers are 'uninvolved'. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.