The following passage is an excerpt from The Role of the Father in Childhood Development, 5th Edition, by Michael E. Lamb, editor (Wiley).

Whether and how much time fathers spend with their children are questions at the heart of much research conducted over the past three decades. In the mid-1970s a number of investigators sought to describe — often by detailed observation and sometimes also through detailed maternal and paternal reports — the extent of paternal interactions with children (Pleck & Masciadrelli, this volume; Lamb & Lewis, this volume). Many of these researchers have framed their research around the three types of paternal involvement (engagement, accessibility, responsibility) described by Lamb, Pleck, Charnov, and Levine (1987). As Pleck and Masciadrelli note, researchers have consistently shown that fathers spend much less time with their children than do mothers. In two-parent families in which mothers are unemployed, fathers spend about one-fourth as much time as mothers in direct interaction or engagement with their children, and about a third as much time being accessible to their children. Many fathers assume essentially no responsibility (as defined by participation in key decisions, availability at short notice, involvement in the care of sick children, management and selection of alternative child care, etc.) for their children’s care or rearing, however, and the small subgroup of fathers who assume high degrees of responsibility has not been studied extensively. Average levels of paternal responsibility have increased over time, albeit slowly, and there appear to be small but continuing increases over time in average levels of all types of parental involvement.

1. Which sentence most clearly summarizes the research supporting the primary conclusion stated in this article?
 
A. Whether and how much time fathers spend with their children are questions at the heart of much research conducted over the past three decades.
B. Many of these researchers have framed their research around the three types of paternal involvement (engagement, accessibility, responsibility) described by Lamb, Pleck, Charnov, and Levine (1987).
C. As Pleck and Masciadrelli note, researchers have consistently shown that fathers spend much less time with their children than do mothers.
D. In two-parent families in which mothers are unemployed, fathers spend about one-fourth as much time as mothers in direct interaction or engagement with their children, and about a third as much time being accessible to their children.
E. Average levels of paternal responsibility have increased over time, albeit slowly, and there appear to be small but continuing increases over time in average levels of all types of parental involvement.



Indicate all that apply

2. As defined in the paragraph, which of the following would not constitute “paternal responsibility”?

A. Taking care of a child who is ill
B. Reading to a child
C. Choosing a childcare provider
D. Providing food, clothing, and housing for a child
E. Playing a game with a child



Indicate all that apply

3. Data from which of the following were not included in the research?

A. Single-parent families
B. Two-parent families in which the fathers are unemployed
C. Two-parent families in which the mothers are unemployed




Indicate all that apply

Which of the following did researchers use as a measure of paternal involvement or responsibility?
 
A. Engagement, accessibility, and the care of sick children
B. Accessibility, responsibility, and financial support
C. Engagement and availability at short notice