Psychodynamic Approach- Debate Flashcards
Mother is the primary caregiver
Feeding- NHS recommends breast feeding until 6 months as it helps protect against illness and builds bonds between mother and baby. Baby should be fed every 2 hours
Freuds view- Important in the oral stage where issues can lead to problems in later life. The relationship with the mother acts as the blueprint for all other relationships
Deprivation change- Prolonged separation can lead to affectionless character, so Bowlby thought the mother was vital for mental health
Mothers not fathers- Women are better equipped as they have higher levels of oestrogen which makes them better at emotional relationships. Gender stereotypes mean women face less stigma.
Mother isn’t primary caregiver
Feeding- Food doesn’t equal love. Harlow: Monkeys spent most time on the cloth ‘mother’ as they gave the most physical comfort. Schaffer and Emerson: attachments made to those that respond best to signal. Harlow put 2 baby monkeys with 2 mothers, one was cloth, and one was wire. The wire one had milk; monkeys spent most time on the cloth ‘mother’ as they gave the most physical comfort showing that food doesn’t equal love.
Freud- His views may have just reflected society at the time where women’s place was in the home, and they couldn’t vote. He recognised the importance of the father in the Oedipus complex.
Deprivation Damage- Bowlby said a mothering influence was important, not exclusively the mother. Some children are unaffected by early separation as they were more attached to their mothers in the place so more resilient.
Mothers not fathers- Changing stereotypes mean more men are freer to me a primary caregiver. They drop in levels of testosterone to make them more sensitive to the child’s needs.
