Edc1100 - Society Begins at Home - 2682 Words

EDC1100 Lifespan Development and Learning Course Examiner: Dr Patrick O’Brien Tutor: Ms Linda De George Walker Critical review of Society begins at home By Sally Weale Due Date: May 30, 2011 Word Count: 1557 The article, Society begins at home, written by Sally Weale for The Age on May 9 2010, takes an objective look at two books written by author Sue Gerherdt, Why Love Matters: How Affection Shapes a Baby’s Brain and The Selfish Society. Weale emphasizes Gerherdt’s main objectives of both books, being how environment and experience at the start of life and through early childhood, namely childcare, effect a child’s development and ultimately society. This essay will analyse and evaluate four issues raised throughout†¦show more content†¦Weale (2010) writes, the people we become are fundamentally shaped by our earliest experiences and, in particular, the sort of love and attention we receive from our parents/carers. This statement would be of great interest to ethological theorist John Bowlby, formulator of the attachment theory which today is considered by many as the most persuasive theory of early emotional development (Oppenheim amp; Goldsmith, 2007). Bowlby was a strong believer that children required a warm continuous relationship to a mother figure or caregiver and without it they would become emotionally damaged (Penn, 2008, Pg 54). Bowlby theorized that the first attachment a child experiences in the first 6 months of age is most likely to a parent but could be to that of a grandparent or even sibling. Evidence from many studies on parent-child relationships, suggest significant associations between early secure attachment to later good functioning, and early insecure attachment to later emotional and behavioural difficulties (Prior, 2006, Pg 168). The toddler who has a secure attachment that she can rely on for comfort and support is more likely to trust others and be supportive than the toddler whose has an insecure attachment and is ignored, abused or belittled (Shonkoff amp; Phillips, 2000). Non-parental child care is in today’s economy somewhat unavoidable. What effects does this care have on development? Lev Vygotsky would strongly argue that childcare is essential