Tag Archives: child

Where is the Father in Attachment Theory?

Posted by: Trudi Wyatt on October 1, 2015 7:00 am

“Attachment theory” is very popular in the field of mental health. In the context of infants, it suggests that some are “secure,” certain that the primary attachment figure (usually conceptualized as the mother) will be there following exploration of the external environment, and that some are “insecure” (sometimes described as anxious, avoidant, resistant, disorganized, or disoriented), uncertain of this, and displaying unresponsive, clinging, or confused behaviours towards the primary caregiver.(1) Continue reading →

*The views expressed by our authors are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CCPA

Child Favoritism

Posted by: Asa Don Brown on November 19, 2012 1:21 pm

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What is favoritism? Favoritism in simple, is the intentional or unintentional preferential treatment of an individual or group of persons. Parents who favor one child over another, are subscribing to the notion that one child is better behaved, more attractive, similar in personality to the favoring parent, or they have preferred kinship.

Favoritism is commonly associated with a bond that develops between the child and the parent. Moreover, the favoring parent may have a guilt, remorse, or negative emotion associated with the unfavored child. In some cases, a detachment occurs because of some major traumatic event or a major life challenge. Such cases can breach the bond between the parent and child. If a child is conceived unexpectedly or without a desire, the parent may withdraw emotionally, cognitively, and physically from the child. Children who are born with physical birth defects, psychological or psychiatric challenges, or a comorbidity of issues simultaneously, can prove burdensome to the oppositional or unattached parent.

Favoritism is not always intentional. Favoritism can occur when a child favors or resembles a parent whether physically or through a particular personality style. Moreover, favoritism is not always related to a resemblance of a parental figure, rather it is a fondness established between a parent and a child. In some cases, if a child is too much alike the parental figure, then this too may cause a rift between the parent and child. The parent may ultimately see qualities in the child that they dislike or distain. The heart of the matter is such parents want ease and comfortability.

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*The views expressed by our authors are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CCPA

The Significance of a Smile on the Life of a Child

Posted by: Asa Don Brown on June 13, 2011 1:11 pm

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What is a smile? A smile is a nonverbal expression of emotion. Smiling can indicate a host of emotions including joy, happiness, sorrow, sadness, cheerfulness, tearfulness, and lightheartedness. Smiling can be accompanied by other nonverbal communication including body language, posture, facial expressions, eye contact, physical artifacts (clothing or apparel), and voice and speech inflections.

Harwood (2006) discussed how the very gesture of a smile within the first developmental years has a significant role in the development of a child’s ability to empathize and self-regulate his or her own emotions. Therefore, if a child is unable to self-regulate, it is a possibility that the primary caregiver did not show a proper amount of affection. Research seems to indicate that if a child is traumatized during childhood, it is especially important to have such a connection with a primary caregiver.

During my own doctoral research which focused on “The effects of childhood trauma on adult perception and worldview,” it was discovered that a parent’s smile played a significant role in the life of a child. My research used a number of instruments including the Parental Bonding Inventory, which looked at an adult’s memories associated with the role of their parents on their own childhood. “The PBI provided clarification that smiles or a lack of smiles are significant in the relationship between parent and child. Twenty-three of the participants recalled receiving smiles from their mothers as children, and 17 of the participants recalled receiving smiles from their fathers as children, whereas only 11 participants recalled that their mothers had not smiled at them during childhood, and 15 recalled that their fathers had not smiled at them during childhood. The significance of a smile arose when considering comforting and reassurance following a traumatic event. Furthermore, it is significant when considering how one’s perceptions of one’s parents frequently are reflected on one’s own feelings of acceptance, self-worth, self-image, and the essence of one’s self-esteem.” (Brown, 2008, p. 84-85)

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*The views expressed by our authors are personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CCPA