Mother as the primary caregiver- Psycho-dynamic contemporary debate

Question 1

Sigmund Freud

Answer 1

• importance of the mother
• satisfy the needs of their infants libido in the oral stage of development
• without meeting these needs, the child may suffer from severe emotional issues
• overindulgence or frustration including pessimism or neediness

Question 2

Getter et al. 2000

Answer 2

• Fathers testosterone levels drop in order to meet the needs of their child more sensitively
• plenty of evidence to suggest that men are just as capable as women to meet the needs of their child
• single father families
• it isn’t just women who change hormonal in order to adapt to parenthood

Question 3

NHS

Answer 3

• Biomedical arguments- feeding
• breastfeeding is recommended for the first 6 months of a babies life
• healthiest start to an infants life
• prevents them from catching numerous diseases and infections
• enhanced emotional bond with the mother
• mother must be available every 2 hours- this limits the fathers ability to provide care

Question 4

Harlow 1959

Answer 4

• Two wired mothers (one with a feeding bottle and the other with a sloth coat
• monkeys spent most of their time with the wired monkey with the sloth coat, particularly when frightened
• food doesn’t provide an emotional bond whilst comfort and contact do.
• biomedical argument- breastfeeding

Question 5

Bowlby’s evidence- importance

Answer 5

• monotropy- every infant will form a significant attachment and relationship with their primary caregiver
• important for later life and can have a negative impact if not developed on their development
• 44 juvenile thieves- separation from the primary caregiver can cause and individual to become an affection-less character who lacks the ability to feel normal affection, shame or sense of responsibility

Question 6

Bowlby- not important

Answer 6

• some children had no ill- effects from early separation
• conducted a study on a group of children who spent little to no contact with their families due to being very ill with tuberculosis yet they showed few issues in later life

Question 7

define primary caregiver

Answer 7

the person who provides the most care and is most responsible for the child’s health, well being and development

Question 8

why is this debate important?

Answer 8

• the primary caregiver is a vital role of an infants life
• in today’s society, equality and opportunity for all is promoted