Does Day Care Harm the Emotional Development of Infants? What am I being asked to believe or accept?
Separation created by day care can damage the mother-infant attachment and harm the child’s emotional development. What evidence is available to support the assertion? While children who attend day care do form attachments and prefer the company of their mothers, some research suggests that these children have a greater tendency to be insecurely attached. Are there alternative ways of interpreting the evidence? Infants in day care may be more independent than those children who stay at home. In addition, mothers who work may reward more independent behavior in their children. What additional evidence would help to evaluate the alternatives? Research must measure aspects of emotional adjustment other than secure attachments. Infant relationships with other caregivers in other situations must also be examined. What conclusions are reasonable? According to a recent study, infants in quality day-care situations with sensitive and responsive mothers were no more likely to develop emotional
