The controversial principles of attachment parenting have been put in the spotlight once again by, oddly enough, a ‘Big Bang Theory’ actress.
In her new book ‘Beyond the Sling’ Mayim Bialik, who is a neuroscientist like her character Amy Farrah Fowler in the US sitcom The Big Bang Theory, explains the science that supports the contentious child raising methodology and argues in favour of it.
Many of the guiding tenets of attachment theory are really not that unusual or likely to cause widespread disagreement: Sensitivity to one’s baby’s needs is supported, as is a close physical bond and frequent nurturing. Few would find such things detestable.
However, some of the guiding principles are not so popular: The idea of breastfeeding for as long as the child continues to want it has raised a few hackles as have the issues of sharing a bed with the child and carrying it in a sling. Mayim, who has a PHD in neuroscience just like her character, brings her expertise in mammal bonding to bear on these issues, but she has a lot of people to convince.
A 2012 issue of Time Magazine with a picture of a 26 year old mother breastfeeding a four year old brought the issues to widespread attention recently, resulting in an angry backlash from many. There are strong feelings on both sides of the argument, with accusations of unnatural behaviour and social discrimination abound. Dr Bialik doesn’t seem about to calm the contention by criticising “indignant women who want to be in offices and not parenting their children actively”.