Mother and father differences regarding web camera installation in the early childhood setting

The purpose of the present study was to explore the responses of parents in the Child Development Lab (CDL) regarding the installation of web cameras in the early childhood 'classroom. The first hypothesis investigated whether answers to eight items selected as predictor variables of support for the web camera project were different for mothers and fathers. The second hypothesis focused on the parents' satisfaction with the CDL, and if their satisfaction predicted their support of the web camera project. The participants in the sample were parents with children in the CDL at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Both hypotheses were partially supported with one strong predictor found in each investigation. The installation of the web camera's ability to enhance the parent's relationship with their child elicited stronger support from mothers than from fathers. As for CDL satisfaction, the possibility that the web camera installation could enhance the parent's relationship with their child's teacher was significant for those parents who were also extremely satisfied with the Child Development Lab. Effects of the web camera installation as a societal and educational tool were given as possible applications for parent responses.