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A Comparison of Fathers’ and Mothers’ Talk to Toddlers in Low‐income Families
Author(s) -
Rowe Meredith L.,
Coker David,
Pan Barbara Alexander
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
social development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.078
H-Index - 91
eISSN - 1467-9507
pISSN - 0961-205X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-9507.2004.000267.x
Subject(s) - psychology , mean length of utterance , developmental psychology , utterance , diversity (politics) , low income , vocabulary , lexical diversity , language development , linguistics , philosophy , sociology , anthropology , socioeconomics
The purpose of this study was to provide descriptive information about low‐income fathers’ and mothers’ talk to toddlers and to re‐examine the bridge hypothesis (Gleason, 1975) in light of current changes in family structure and childcare responsibilities. Thirty‐three father–child and mother–child dyads were videotaped during semi‐structured free play at home. Fathers’ and mothers’ talk to children did not differ in amount, diversity of vocabulary, or linguistic complexity as measured by mean length of utterance. However, fathers produced more wh‐questions and explicit clarification requests, thus presenting more conversational challenges to children. Resident fathers employed more direct forms of prohibitives. Results suggest the need for closer examination of factors related to child‐directed speech in varying family configurations.