3 15 What Bowlby did and didnt say
3. 15 What Bowlby did and didn’t say Bowlby’s work has always provoked heated arguments. It’s important to know what he actually said – not what he is reported as saying – in order to assess the value, or otherwise, of his work.
He did NOT say The effects of early deprivation or privation are inevitable and irreversible
He DID say An affectionless character does not develop easily.
He did NOT say Most deprived children do not form attachments
He DID say Because children are biologically biased to form an attachment to the person looking after them, they will do so even if abused.
He did NOT say If a child experiences a few separations this will result in permanent damage.
He DID say It is only rarely, after repeated experience of separation, that children become permanently emotionally detached.
He did NOT say Mothers should not go out to work
He DID say If mothers leave their young children for long parts of the day, it is essential to ensure they have good quality care in which attachments can be formed.
He did NOT say Children who are the victims of severe deprivation in their early lives will always show deleterious effects such as delinquency
He DID say A considerable proportion of children who are the victims of deprivation in their early lives do escape delinquency and other damage. I estimate that about 25% of them are likely to suffer irreparable damage.
He DID say Even if the risks are low, because this damage is so considerable, we should do all we can to avoid it.
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