The Secure Attachment Parenting, Research Paper Example

The secure attachment parenting has effect on early childhood and later in social development

Abstract

This paper describes how secure attachment parenting has an effect on early childhood and later in social development.  The paper is divided into four sections as follows: (1) Introduction and Background (2) Secure attachment parenting in early childhood (3) Secure attachment parenting in social development context (4) Concluding remarks.  The paper examines the Pro’s and Con’s of each approach incorporating current psychological thinking in the subject matter under review.

Introduction and Background

Attachment  Theory is considered to be that of an emotional bond between one person to another. One of the only psychologist’s  was that of John Bowlby[1], who explained attachment theory and how bonds were formed  between children and that of the caregivers. e.g., parents, nannies etc.  These attachments formed at an early age influence behavioural patterns that continue throughout the child’s life.  In the formative years attachments create the bond between mother and child and therefore influences  the improved survival rate of the child.  The central concept for attachment theories  is based upon the premise that ” mothers who are available and responsive to their infant’s needs establish a sense of security. The infant knows that the caregiver is dependable, which creates a secure base for the child to then explore the world.”  (Cherry, 2010).

The concept of attachment has a number of distinct characteristics that include: [1] safe haven concept, whereby a threatened child can return to the relative safety and comfort of the caregiver.  [2] security concept, the caregiver takes the amount of freedom, the child has to explore the world.  [3] proximity safety, the child looks towards staying relatively near the caregiver to keep it safe.  [4] separation distress, the child will become upset and distressed if it becomes separated from the caregiver.

Secure attachment parenting in early childhood

Attachment practices between the parent and child start from early childhood.  The mother breast-feeding her child creates an emotional bond allows for nurturing a child by response and touch.  The concept of co-sleeping helps a child feel safe and secure.  Scientific claims that support attachment parenting state two major points [1] the concept of responsive parenting  is known to improve the attachment, bonding and communications between parent and child.  [2] overall attachment children have a better foundation of happiness and well-being to improve social development.  One of the key points supporting this looks at the converse argument ” research demonstrates that kids who are terribly neglected and abused—like children raised in the infamous Romanian orphanages—suffer neurocognitive impairment and socio-emotional problems” (Gwen Dewar, 2008).

Childhood bonding between the baby and mother occurs by the mother responding to the baby’s needs and interpreting the different cry’s for help.  The fact that the mother loves the child does not necessary create the bond ” The quality of the attachment bond varies. A secure bond provides your baby with an optimal foundation for life: eagerness to learn, healthy self-awareness, trust and consideration for others. An insecure attachment relationship, one that fails to meet an infant’s need for safety and understanding, leads to confusion about oneself and difficulties in learning and relating to others.”  (Gina Kemp, 2009).

There are a number of variables that  consolidate the attachment between child and caregiver.  Ainsworth  in 1964 provides a classification system of three types: secure, avoidant and ambivalent, each looking at the mother’s behavioral path towards the child.  He went on to determine that the more securely attached children later become much more emotionally sensitive and co-operative. This leads towards greater cognitive ability  in terms of autonomy,  problem solving and perseverance.  The opposite treatment in parenting techniques results in ” these children become emotionally isolated from both family and peers and seldom have stable interpersonal relationships or a good self-concept”  (Jennifer Neal, 2001).

Children require the most attention in the very early stages of life.  This means waking up and needing the attention of the caregiver. ” The majority of infants (95%) will arouse every 3 to 4 hours during the night in the first month of life, with these arousals requiring parental attention (6). By 8 months of age, infants arouse every 6 to 7 hours with most infants (60-70%) able to self-soothe, i.e., able to fall back to sleep after waking without requiring parental attention”  (Katherine Green, 2010).

The benefits of attachment parenting have been summarised in the following table: Source :  (William Sears, 2006)

Secure attachment parenting in social development context

Secure attachment parenting has seen to contribute  towards improvement in the social development arena.  For example: ” Good parenting can protect against the acquisition of a criminal record, particularly in children from a deprived background ”  (Richard Eckersley, 2001).

Waters, Wippman and Stoufe (1979) carried out a study on some 39 infants who were placed through a strange situation procedure, empirical research looked at observational responses from 15 months and then pre-school play groups at 3.5 years. The results indicated a hypothesis that supported attachment relationship support for later social development. ” The results also report to developmental significance or attachment that contradicted Mischels (1969) critique of individual performance”.  (Lois Norma Wladis Hoffman, 1982).

In more recent years researchers have placed less attention on parenting styles and instead looked  more closely at the behavioral patterns of the parents.  This particular looking at behaviour interactions  with the children. When parents act as playmates with the children it is seen to increase to social interaction skills.  Researchers have equally focused upon negative behaviour by the parents and the resulting social outcome of same.  The use of over control, intrusiveness and overprotection  have increased risk for childcare problems and potential victimization” Both poverty and sustained loss of income have been linked with family dysfunction and child problems.”  (Bernard Spodek, 2006). This has been particularly prevalent in single parent families. Children exposed to marital separations have found to develop both appear problems and become less socially interactive.  In terms of forming friendships and developing relationships.

Concluding remarks

The relationships that are formed  between children  and  primary care providers, undoubtedly have a profound impact on the social development and welfare of the child.  The impact of the parent bonding assist the child in character development, morality — learning a sense of right and wrong, learning exploration and knowledge acquisition.  Parents also influence  both health and physical development.  They shape  the child’s environment and how their beliefs and attitudes to those outside of the family social group develop. “When parenting is detached, intrusive, erratic, inconsistent or rejecting, children are more likely to develop an insecure attachment.”  (Andrés Martin, 2007).

Social learning theorists have indicated that the mother child bond has profound implications for future social development of the child.  “All normal infants form attachment relationships to one of several care providers, this will left with natural experiments reflect variation between individuals.”  (Lois Norma Wladis Hoffman, Parenting, its causes and consequences , 1982).  An example of this might be the differing styles between that of parent, grandparent, school teacher, elder brother or sister.  Each have variations on the kind of relationship and attachments formed

Attachment theory has not examined in detail the  consequences of father absence.  It mostly focuses upon the bonding between mother and child. It was Bowlby that argued, ” the natural relationship is between a mother and child, the father being more of a supportive role.”  (Peter K. Smith, 2002). The security of attachment is considered to lack the stability required in the father relationship.  Nevertheless with family structure change e.g. Splitting up, it can result in an otherwise competent child become insecure and losing the confidence.

Works Cited

Andrés Martin, F. R. (2007). Lewis’s child and adolescent psychiatry: a comprehensive textbook . In F. R. Andrés Martin, Lewis’s child and adolescent psychiatry: a comprehensive textbook (p. 310). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Bernard Spodek, O. N. (2006). Handbook of research on the education of young children . In O. N. Bernard Spodek, Handbook of research on the education of young children (p. 27). New Jersey: Laurence Earlbaun.

Cherry, K. (2010, 5 20). Attachment Theory. Retrieved 5 20, 2010, from About.com: http://psychology.about.com/od/loveandattraction/a/attachment01.htm

Gina Kemp, M. J. (2009, 9). Bonding with Your Baby. Retrieved 5 19, 2010, from Helpguide.org: http://helpguide.org/mental/parenting_attachment.htm

Gwen Dewar, P. (2008). The science of attachment parenting. Retrieved 5 19, 2010, from Parenting Science: http://www.parentingscience.com/attachment-parenting.html

Jennifer Neal, D. F.-H. (2001). The Effects of Parenting Styles and Childhood Attachment Patterns on Intimate Relationships. Journal of Instructional Psychology

Katherine Green, P. W.-E.-S. (2010). APIRG Position Paper Summary on Infant Sleep Safety. International Research Group.

Lois Norma Wladis Hoffman, R. G. (1982). Parenting, its causes and consequences . In R. G. Lois Norma Wladis Hoffman, Parenting, its causes and consequences (p. 49). Hillsdale, NJ: Laurence Eribaum Associates.

Lois Norma Wladis Hoffman, R. G. (1982). Parenting, its causes and consequences . In R. G. Lois Norma Wladis Hoffman, Parenting, its causes and consequences (p. 50). New Jersey: Laurence Earlbaum Associates.

Peter K. Smith, C. H. (2002). Blackwell handbook of childhood social development . In C. H. Peter K. Smith, Blackwell handbook of childhood social development (p. 242). Oxford: Blackwell Publishers.

Richard Eckersley, J. D. (2001). The social origins of health and well-being . In J. D. Richard Eckersley, The social origins of health and well-being (pp. 207-215). Cambridge UK: Cambridge University Press.

William Sears, M. a. (2006). Attachment Parenting. Retrieved 5 19, 2010, from Ask Dr.Sears.com: http://www.askdrsears.com/about.asp

[1] John Bowlby (1907-1990) British Psychologist and Psychoanalyst noted for pioneering work in attachment theory.