psychodynamic debate - mother as the primary caregiver Flashcards
3 discussion points?
1 = mothers are more biologically programmed to care for their babies
2 = mothers should be the primary caregiver as only she can breastfeed
3 = infants from just one special attachment and if they are separated from this person they will have emotional and social development issues
point 1 ?
1 = mothers are more biologically programmed to care for their babies
- research shows that mothers are biologically programmed to take care for their child through hormones that are released and changes ti their brain
- for example, research shows oxytocin helps increase bonding behaviour and emotions. during pregnancy oxytocin increases and a lot of this hormone is released during childbirth and breastfeeding. high oxytocin causes mother to become familiar with the odor of her newborn infant and once attracted to it prefers her own babies above all others.
- implies that oxytocin creates a strong instinct for the mother to form a bond with her abby suggesting mother is set up to be the primary caregiver
counter argument 1?
1 = dads hormone levels change
- research shows that father can be just as good primary caregivers as mothers
- gettler et al suggested father testosterone levels drop in order to help a man respond more sensitively to his children’s needs showing fathers brains are able to adapt to the level of responsibility they carry for the care of their infants
point 2?
2 = mothers should be the primary caregiver as only she can breastfeed
- research suggests that the biological mother should be the main caregiver because she can breastfeed the baby and this is important for the babies health but also improves attachment between mother and baby which is better for the babies later social and emotional development
- the NHS recommended that infants should be breastfed if possible because it protects infants from various infections and diseases also claiming breastfeeding creates a strong emotional and physical bond between baby and mother
- strengthens bobbles view of the mother should be the primary caregiver
counter argument 2?
2 = social and economic issues
- if society dictates mother needs to be the primary caregiver this challenged gender equality
- taking a break to care for a young family often means a women’s career is put on hold for a few years and may have long term implications
- employers may be more reluctant to employ and promote women because of maternity leave
- it is also important to recognise the important role played by fathers in bringing up the baby which this argument devalues the role that fathers play
point 3?
3 = infants form just one special attachment and if separated they will have emotional and social issues
- bowlby argues for monotropy according to bowlby a child needs a continuous bond with one person and if separated will lead to issues
- he demonstrated that early and prolonged separation between child and its mother can have lasting emotional effects. such separation is likely to become affectionless such character is more likely to become a thief and have difficulty forming relationships.
- grossmann provided evidence suggesting the role of dad was less crucial than that of mum.
counter argument 3 ?
3 = if infants form just one special attachment and if they are separated from this person they will have emotional and social development issues
- however while maternal deprivation is harmful it is not the seperation itself but the reason for the separation that is harmful
- Micheal Rutgers Isle of Wight studied a group of 9 to 12 year old boys and found no positive correlation between juvenile delinquency and separation from mother or father. he did find a correlation between coming from poor, stressful home and being involved with anti social behaviour.
- this suggests being separated from primary care giver has less of an impact on behaviour of children later on in life than bowlby suggests in his 44 thieves study instead its the reason for separation that causes anti social behaviour
