On Promoting the Health of Girls and Women of Child-Bearing Age: Peer orientation stunts healthy development

 

“If our society were truly to appreciate the significance of children’s emotional ties throughout the first years of life, it would no longer tolerate children growing up, or parents having to struggle, in situations that cannot possibly nourish healthy growth.”

 

(Stanley Greenspan, M.D., Child Psychiatrist and Former Director, Clinical Infant Development Program, [U.S.] National Institute of Mental Health).

 

An ADD forum participant cites an outline by Gabor Maté M.D.that includes the above quote by Greenspan, and reposts its salient points to consider for promoting the health of girls and women of child-bearing age. -gw

 

How Attachment Supports Parenting and Child-rearing

 

1. Arranges the parent/adult and child hierarchically

2. Evokes the parenting instincts

3. Commands the child’s attention

4. Keeps the child close to the parent/adult

5. Makes a model out of the parent/adult

6. Designates the parent/adult as the primary cue giver

7. Makes the child want to be good for the adult

 

Peer Orientation Stunts Healthy Development

 

1. The flight from feeling

2. Immaturity, lack of individuality

3. Aggression

4. The making of bullies and victims

5. Precocious, inappropriate sexuality

6. Unteachability

 

http://www.communitycradle.org/documents/HANDOUTDrMate.pdf