Parenting

Theories of Parenting

Although there is no overarching theory of parenting, understanding parenting grows from knowledge of what children need to grow and thrive. Attachment theory, first devised by John Bowlby from a psychoanalytic background, explains attachment as a system of behaviors (e.g., crying and smiling) that promote survival by bringing caregivers into close proximity during times of danger or need. Over time, as parents respond to infants' needs, an emotional bond grows from these transactions, and infants develop models of themselves, others, and the world that serve as blueprints for future relationships.

Infants whose needs are met consistently are more likely to develop secure attachments, with “internal working models” of themselves as worthy, others as reliably available, and the world as safe. Infants whose needs are not met consistently or who are abused or neglected develop anxious attachment styles built on mental representations that help is not available, the world is unsafe, and they are not worthy. Since the 1990s, neuroscience research and attachment theory are increasingly being integrated to suggest that sensitive and responsive parenting work through secure attachment to develop and organize the brain.

Secure attachments are associated with children's greater self-efficacy, social competence, and empathy and better emotional and mental health and to higher levels of academic achievement, perhaps because of greater feelings of security that lead to more exploration of the environment. In addition, the attachment relationship provides a venue for communicating and expressing feelings. Through the expression of distress and the soothing responses of the caregiver, the infant learns to self-regulate her emotions.