On the other hand, mothers who engaged in negative gatekeeping, grimacing or criticized fathers' efforts to take charge, could block out even fathers who believe they should be involved, says the study, led by Sarah Schoppe-Sullivan, assistant professor, child development, at Ohio State University.
The results were surprising, and may be disappointing for people who believe mothers and fathers should share equally in the caregiving for their children, said Sarah Schoppe-Sullivan, co-author of the study and associate professor of human development and family science at Ohio State University.