Early research made the assumption that a child’s relationship with their primary caregiver, in most cases the mother, plays a significant role in the development of a child and may result in distress and psychological disorders in case of maternal depravation.
Attachment theory is based on the premise that children develop attachments to their parents and caregivers. A relationship exists if the child feels safe enough to explore his environment without fear of being abandoned or rejected. In other words, if a child feels connected to his caregiver, he is likely to seek out her presence and feel comfortable in their company. It is important to note that not every child develops an attachment bond with their caregiver. Some may feel secure because they do not experience frequent separations from their caregivers. Others may experience anxiety after separating from their caregivers.
This was disputed by Michel Rutter and Bruno Bettelheim. Rutter‘s studies of children with learning difficulties showed that it was the quality of care, not the identity of the caregiver, that affected a child’s development. This was confirmed in Bettelheim’s study of children raised communally in Kibbutzim. Rutter saw psychological damage among children placed in institutions, while Bettelheim observed that children reared in communal settings were able to develop strong friendships and achieve success in adult life.
