Mother as Primary Caregiver

• Introduction

  This essay will look at the pros and cons of the validity of the mother as the primary caregiver of children.

  The second part will consider strategies that psychologists can present to resolve issues around the role of primary caregiver
• What does the NHS recommend about breastfeeding

  The mother should breastfeed their child for the first six months for protection from infection and disease
• Why is it important for the mother to breastfeed their child?

  It holds a range of physical benefits for the child as well as a strong emotional bond between the mother and child
• Why does breastfeeding make the women the primary caregiver

  Other family members, such as the father, will not be able to fulfill this activity so the mother must be the primary caregiver
• How does the role of hormones make the mother a more valid candidate for the primary caregiver

  They have a higher level of oestrogen
• What does oestrogen underline

  The caring behaviours which are necessary for a young child who is unable to care for themselves
• What is the issue with the fathers hormones

  They have higher levels of testosterone which is associated with uncaring behaviours
• What did Heerman et al discover to support mother as primary caregiver in relation to hormones

  Men are less sensitive to infant cues than women

  Therefore the father is not equipped to be the primary caregiver
• What did Bowlby research to support the mother as primary caregiver

  Maternal Deprivation

  Research into juvenile delinquency showed that early and prolonged separation between the mother and child has lasting emotional effects

  This creates an affectionless character who is more likely to become a thief and have difficulty forming relationships
• How does Bowlbys groundbreaking study on maternal deprivation support the mother as primary caregiver

  If parents want to avoid extreme behaviour problems then it is necessary for the mother to be the primary caregiver
• Mini Introduction

  While there are clear and evident reasons to why it is necessary for the mother to be the primary caregiver, there are serious shortcomings that must be considered
• Why is NHS breastfeeding policy not always useful

  It may be harmful in some cases

  For example, Uganda suffered from AIDS epidemic in 1990s
• What was the result of AIDS epidemic in Uganda for babies

  AIDs was being transferred to the children through breastfeeding leading to the deaths of infants
• How did people in Uganda prevent AIDs being transferred to their children

  They began using formula milk
• How does the issue of AIDs in Uganda support the idea that the mother does not need to be the primary caregiver

  Formula milk does not need to be fed by the mother

  Other relatives, such as the father, can complete this task

  It is not automatically that the mother needs to be the primary caregiver
• What is wrong with the role of hormones

  It is too simplistic
• How does research by Gettler support the role of hormones being too simplistic

  Fathers testosterone levels drop to support the man to respond to the child's needs and equip them for fatherhood and to be loving
• Who found that father testosterone levels drop

  Gettler
• What does the role of hormones being too simplistic imply


  Fathers are also biologically prepared to be caregivers

  They can take the role of the primary caregiver and the role of the mother as caregiver is unnecessary
• What research by Bowbly on maternal deprivation contradicts his findings on juvenile delinquency

  His study on children who were ill and spent years in hospital with little contact to families showed few problems in later life

  Evidence suggesting that the mother is not needed as the prime caregiver in order to prevent juvenille delinquency
• What is important to know when Bowlby was researching maternal deprivation

  He did no mean exclusively to the child's mother

  He started that there is also a 'permanent mother substitute'
• Conclusion

  There is good evidence that mothers can be the primary caregivers, for example by helping with protection from illness and disease

  It is evident that this is not always the case

  In the case of AIDs, or the role of hormones, this stereotype is challenged

  Research clearly shows that a range of people can perform the function of primary caregiver
• Implications

  Psychologists must do more research into what constitutes good patenting, aimed not only at the mother, but at other primary caregivers such as gay parents.

  Psychologists can do much to educate the public against harmful and cultural stereotypes. By being more open with the public, good information can be produced that challenges stereotypes, such as fathers being poor parents
• Final Sentence

  While the mother can be the primary caregiver, it is not a necessity, but rather a stereotype, and psychology can positively contribute to alternative and challenge the sterotype