Compared with the fathers, the mothers responded more to the children’s
questions about careers. Xiaoming’s father worked in another city,
returned home every 2 weeks, and had less physical access to his son. Thus,
Xiaoming had more chances to ask his mother about careers. Although
Tina had more physical access to her father than Xiaoming did, she suggested
that her mother responded more to her: “Although my dad often
stays at home, he talks less with me. My mom often answers my questions.”
This was consistent with her mother’s perceptions that she might
be more influential and that Tina’s father was not a good communicator.