Mother as the primary care giver debate - psychodynamic

• What are the four main areas of debate?

  Feeding, Freuds views on the importance of mothers, deprivation damage, mothers not fathers
• What do the NHS recommend?

  Breastfeeding for at least the first 6 months of a child’s life
• Why do the NHS recommend this?

  Offers the healthiest start to a child’s life, can build a strong emotional and physical relationship between a mother and baby (important in emotional development)
• Why does Harlows monkey study contradict the NHS view?

  The monkeys proved that contact comfort creates a strong emotional bond, not food
• Why does Freud believe that mothers are essential in a child’s development?

  In the oral stage, infants rely on their mothers for satisfaction. Frustration at this stage can lead to emotional problems later on in life. A mothers love acts as a basis for every relationship later on in life
• What is a limitation of Freuds views?

  Outdated, at the time of his publication women had limited rights and this was reflected in his work. Freud also did recognise the importance of a fathers protection for their sons
• How does Bowlbys (1944) study suggest that mothers are important?


  Prolonged and early separation had long lasting effects (emotionless character and thieving), mother is centre role for healthy emotional development
• How does Bowlbys research suggest that mothers may not be the primary caregiver?

  ‘ a child should experience… continuous relationship with his mother (or a permanent mother substitute)‘. Not exclusive to biological mother
• How do females hormones influence their ability to care?

  Oestrogen underlies caring behaviour, so women are biologically more orientated towards emotional relationships than men
• When did Heermann et al conduct his study?

  1994
• What did Heermann suggest?

  That men are less sensitive to infant cues
• When did Gettler et al conduct his research?

  2011
• What did gettler et al suggest?

  That a fathers testosterone levels drop in order to help a man ‘respond more sensitively to a childs needs‘
• How has society influences the traditional roles?

  Both sexes feel more free to take on untraditional roles, evident in same sex relationships