Psychodynamic debate

• Introduction - traditionally society and psychology suggest PCG should be mother. Some research has suggested mother/child bond = imperative to healthy development, other research suggests others can take this role.
• Should be - breastfeeding, physical and psychological benefits, immunity, increases emotional bond. Something only a is something only a mum can do. Women who don't breastfeed may feel guilty and could contribute to physical and emotional development of their child.
• Should not be - Harlow found that baby monkeys removed from mother at birth got kept with a wire mother and cloth mother, spent 80% of time with cloth mother but went to wire mother for milk, so found comfort in food which can be from someone other than their mother. PCG goes beyond feeding the child, need comfort and doesnt have to be the mother. Women can go to work and it wont have a big detrimental impact on the child so has an impact on the economy.
• Should be - Bowlby carried out case studies, link between affectionless and separation from mother. Impacts on emotional development. Mother needs to be primary caregiver because material deprivation/separation can be damaging for the childs emotional development.
• Should not be - in a different study Bowlby showed that children hospitalised by TB showed problems in later life, only saw their mothers once per week, when compared with control group showed differences in terms of antisocial behaviour or forming relationships. So periods of deprivation from mother did not have significant damaging effect upon them. No conclusive evidence that maternal separation is the sole caused of damage to development.
• Should be - Heerman et al 1994 found that men are less sensitive to infant cues compared to the mother due to not having enough oestrogen which increases emotional response. Mothers are more sensitive so have an automatic more caring nature. Only 1% of fathers take paternal leave.
• Should not be - Mens hormones also alter in response to parenthood. Gettler et al 2011 found that the fathers testosterone levels drop to help fathers respond to their childs needs. Fathers testosterone levels drop to help fathers respond to childs needs. Fathers are just as well equipped. Both parents can take leave for a newborn.
• Should be - damage from separation form mother. Ermisch and Francesconi. Slower emotional development. Fathers work schedules = no time to spend with child. Fathers are not present, damage to child if mother is not present.
• Should not be - McGinn 2016, working mothers = more motivated children than stay at home mothers, therefore get paid more as more motivated = smarter. Father can be PCG while mother works.
• Conclusions - argument that mother should be PCG is outdated, no conclusive evidence the PCG has to be female, multiple PCG's just as beneficial? Role of father is also just as important. Many factors that might influence well-being of child.