Parent-Child Connection: Family Theory Perspective

The parent-child relationship refers to the enduring and strong bond between children and their caregivers. The social, emotional, and physical parent-child interaction illustrates the type of connection they have (Johnson et al., 2007). These associations determine the child’s future and their interaction with other people. For example, children whose basic needs are met by their parents become trustworthy adults. On the contrary, people might develop mistrust feelings in future bonds if given minimal attention during childhood. Johnson et al. (2007) explain that trust and respect play a crucial role in maintaining a good connection between parents and their children. However, some factors significantly contribute to a lost caregiver-child relationship resulting in sour interconnections.

Attachment refers to having an emotional bond with another individual. The attachment theory suggests that a child’s normal social and emotional development happens if they have a strong connection with one of their caregivers (Fearon & Roisman, 2017). In this case, I would talk to the guardian and determine what caused the vague connection. For example, children might experience attachment hunger because the caregivers control them in inconsistent ways and cause confusion. Schermerhorn et al. (2010) explain that caregivers should be firm, assertive, and consistent when interacting with their children.

Additionally, guardians should ensure that their interaction with the babies is nurturing and enriching. This is because parents who spend minimal time with a child can give in to their demands because of guilt and adversely affect their bond (Allen et al., 2004). Caregivers should lead by example through their actions and clearly define what is wrong or right. The surrounding environment plays a primary role in creating a strong or loose parent-child interconnection. For example, a bitter relationship with a partner adversely affects the child emotionally (Schermerhorn et al., 2010). Therefore, caregivers should implement ways of solving issues in the absence of children. On the contrary, parents can allow the baby to watch as they unravel the conflict to prevent distress.

The parent’s mental and physical status can affect children; therefore, they should openly discuss their condition. Caregivers might become stressed when the child’s development is delayed. Thompson et al. (2019) explain that the guardian becomes emotionally unstable, which translates to anger and undefined behavior, causing mistrust or fear in children. The family systems theory defines a household unit as a complex social system whose members influence each other’s actions (Cox & Paley, 2003). Therefore, both caregivers’ involvement in the upbringing of babies positively affects their physical and emotional well-being.

Additionally, these children perform better in schoolwork than those from single-parent families (Kotila & Schoppe‐Sullivan, 2015). In this case, I would inquire about the child’s connection with the other parent from birth and how much time they spend together. Guardians should give their children attention because there is a strong relationship between maternal sensitivity and a baby’s attachment security.

In summary, the parent-child interconnection determines who children become in the future and their relations with other people in society. Guardians should apply the attachment and family systems theories in their upbringing. Moreover, parents should set a good example to the child by controlling such emotions as anger because children learn from what they observe but not from what they are told. In this case, the caregiver can rebuild a positive connection with the child through time, structure, and love.

References

Allen, J. P., McElhaney, K. B., Kuperminc, G. P., & Jodl, K. M. (2004). Stability and change in attachment security across adolescence. Child Development, 75(6), 1792-1805. Web.

Cox, M. J., & Paley, B. (2003). Understanding families as systems. Current directions in psychological science, 12(5), 193-196. Web.

Fearon, R. P., & Roisman, G. I. (2017). Attachment theory: progress and future directions. Current Opinion in Psychology, 15, 131-136. Web.

Johnson, S. C., Dweck, C. S., & Chen, F. S. (2007). Evidence for infants’ internal working models of attachment. Psychological Science-Cambridge-, 18(6), 501. Web.

Kotila, L. E., & Schoppe‐Sullivan, S. J. (2015). Integrating sociological and psychological perspectives on co-parenting. Sociology Compass, 9(8), 731-744. Web.

Schermerhorn, A. C., Chow, S. M., & Cummings, E. M. (2010). Developmental family processes and interparental conflict: Patterns of micro-level influences. Developmental psychology, 46(4), 869. Web.

Thompson, H. M., Wojciak, A. S., & Cooley, M. E. (2019). A family-based approach to the child welfare system: Integration of Bowen family theory concepts. Journal of Family Social Work, 22(3), 231-252. Web.