psychodynamic debate- the mother as primary caregiver

Question 1

for mother as primary caregiver (feeding)
what is the argument?

Answer 1

the NHS recommends that infants are breastfed for at least 6 months if their lives.
-breastfeeding has been argued to develop a strong emotional and social bond between infant and mother- important for emotional development of the child.

Question 2

for mother as primary caregiver (feeding)
what is the evidence?

Answer 2

mikology.org has shown that oxytocin is released during childbirth and breastfeeding which helps mothers during labor and postpartum. It is released in breast milk during breastfeeding and encourages bonding with the baby. Furthermore, it lowers stress and anxiety, lowers blood pressure and may protect against postpartum depression.

Question 3

for mother as primary caregiver (feeding)
what is the evaluation/link?

Answer 3

-this is a strong argument as it is based on biological and scientific evidence to suggest women are biologically predisposed hormonally to bond and care for their children.
-this would argue that the mother should be primary care giver as she would need to feed regularly and limits other caregivers roles to secondary positions.

Question 4

for mother as primary caregiver (feeding)
what are the economic benefits?

Answer 4

breastfeeding provides economical benefits and mothers/parents/families will save money buying formula, bottles and sterilizing equipment.

Question 5

against mother as primary caregiver (feeding)
what is the argument?

Answer 5

the mother should not be the primary caregiver because feeding isn’t the main determining factor in forming a bond with a caregiver.

Question 6

against mother as primary caregiver (feeding)
what is the evidence?

Answer 6

-schaffer and emerson (1964) found that the strongest attachments were with the carers who responded to the child’s signals more quickly and sensitively and had the most interaction with them.
-harlow (1959) found that food was not enough to form a bond (young monkeys only went to a ‘food giving mother model’ when they were hungry). contact comfort was the strongest indicator for a ‘bond’ (young monkeys clung to a ‘cloth model mother’).

Question 7

against mother as primary caregiver (feeding)
what is the evaluation/link?

Answer 7

these are valid arguments to consider especially when there is already pressures of mothers to breast feed. there are also options available to allow other caregivers to provide food for infants such as formula and bottles. this would argue that the mother does not need to be the primary caregiver as there are options for other caregivers to provide food, and the bond of attachment is not reliant on food.

Question 8

against mother as primary caregiver (feeding)
what are the social implications?

Answer 8

this is a social implication because there is societal pressure on women who may not be able to or may not want to breastfeed for physical or psychological reasons. furthermore, it could continue the issues around sex/gender roles in society.

Question 9

for mother as primary caregiver (stay at home mum vs daycare)
what is the argument?

Answer 9

mother should be primary caregiver as stay-at-home parenting allows for great parent-child bonding, making the child secure, happy and confident in their environment.

Question 10

for mother as primary caregiver (stay at home mum vs daycare)
what is the evidence?

Answer 10

-penelope leach found that nursery staff are not emotionally responsive enough to younger (<18 months) children which could affect quality of attachment.
-healthway medical article- ‘a mothers role in early childhood development’ shows that a mother plays multiple roles in a childs development, as she is a teacher in every aspect of a childs development growth at a young age.

Question 11

for mother as primary caregiver (stay at home mum vs daycare)
what is the evaluation/link?

Answer 11

this is a strong argument as it shows that the mother plays a key role in a childs emotional well being and development. children often feel most safe and bonded with their mother so stay at home parenting allows this attachment to grow and benefit their development.

Question 12

for mother as primary caregiver (stay at home mum vs daycare)
what is the counter argument?

Answer 12

however, penelope leach found that after 2 years nursery staffs relationship with other children becomes more important as there is many benefits. this shows that although stay at home parenting is efficient in early development for children after 2 years of age daycare can provide benefits they possibly wouldn’t get from home.