Just think for a minute. Try to remember all the times you wanted to play with someone and your dad was the one who offered. Now, think about the present and try to remember all the times you were able to go to your dad to just talk and be affectionate. I certainly agree that my dad is the more active parent and if I ever want to play outside or play board games I can just go to my dad. However, when it comes to just being loved, I always go to my mom. However, because my parents only have two daughters, I feel like my dad has been forced into being more affectionate towards my sister and me. My dad tries to take part in every conversation because he doesn't have a son he could share similar interests with. Even though both my parents work, they still try to devote time to my sister and me. The statement that dads are the preferred playmates does not surprise me at all, but in our family we try to involve both of our parents in every activity. And I also agree that my dad has had an important impact on my upbringing; he is a good role model to me, helping me become more patient and understanding of others.
I have also linked a picture that sums up a father-daughter relationship.
Daddy's Little Girl
This was cool to read and I agree with you. My dad does pretty much everything with my brother and I while my mom and sister tend to do most things together.
I'm in the same boat as you are with a sister and no brother for my dad to share interests with. however, when it comes to anything I definitely go to my dad just because I feel that he understands me more than my mom. It would be interesting to read about same sex couples like what Sarah said above. Would the child feel more close to the more masculine of the same-sex couple even if both were females?
I enjoyed reading your real life psychology situation. My family behaves much like yours in this sense. I also found it interesting what Sarah wrote about the families where "normal" roles involving work and home life were switched. I know a family where the dad stays home and the mother works and is out of the house often. I found it interesting that in this family the child seems to want to play more with the mother rather than the father, although in the book it said that was the opposite. I know that this could be a factor of many things and not just that one (correlation vs. causation). But it is interesting none the less.
I usually played with my dad more than my mom when I was younger. However, in my case it was more because my mom worked days and my dad worked nights. In the last few years, I go to my mom for more things however just because I see her more often. So a part of that may be just the proximity of each parent.
Do you think that in families where the mother works and the father stays home this might be different? What about same-sex couples?