Shared caregiving increases conflict.

• Position: YOUR LIFE - On parenting - Brief article

Parents who share caregiving for their preschool children may experience more conflict than those in which the mother is the primary caregiver, according to a study published in Developmental Psychology.

Results show that couples have a stronger, more supportive co-parenting relationship when the father spends more time playing with their child but, when the father participates more in caregiving, like preparing meals or giving baths, the couples are more likely to display less supportive and more undermining co-parenting behavior toward each other.

The results were surprising, and may be disappointing for those who believe mothers and fathers should share equally in the caregiving for their children, indicates Sarah Sullivan, coauthor of the study. However, it does show that there is not just one way to share parenting duties. "I don't think this means that, for every family, a father being involved in caregiving is a bad thing, but it is not the recipe for all couples. You can certainly have a solid co-parenting...