I also felt the book made a number of very valuable and valid points. However, I don't think that many of the recent critiques of attachment theory give sufficient credit to another part of the context in which this theory was developed. Yes, there is a patriarchal society, no question. But there was a prevailing belief that if children were kept clean, well feed and germ free they would be fine-part the behaviorist tradition. Thus, in hospitals parents did not stay with their children but only had restricted visiting. The classic film "Laura Goes to the hospital" by Bowlby associate J Robertson showing the heart rending distress of this child's hospital stay without her parent did a lot to change hospital policy. It is really is because of attachment theory that parents can stay with their children when they have their tonsils out. And as a clinician, I can also say that attachment theory has been invaluable in helping many seriously traumatized children. So yes the critiques of attachment theory are important, but it is also important to give notice to the other parts of the cultural context that attachment theory developed
This was such a great read! So many good insights. Thank you
I also felt the book made a number of very valuable and valid points. However, I don't think that many of the recent critiques of attachment theory give sufficient credit to another part of the context in which this theory was developed. Yes, there is a patriarchal society, no question. But there was a prevailing belief that if children were kept clean, well feed and germ free they would be fine-part the behaviorist tradition. Thus, in hospitals parents did not stay with their children but only had restricted visiting. The classic film "Laura Goes to the hospital" by Bowlby associate J Robertson showing the heart rending distress of this child's hospital stay without her parent did a lot to change hospital policy. It is really is because of attachment theory that parents can stay with their children when they have their tonsils out. And as a clinician, I can also say that attachment theory has been invaluable in helping many seriously traumatized children. So yes the critiques of attachment theory are important, but it is also important to give notice to the other parts of the cultural context that attachment theory developed