Developmental psychology - Essay Example

Module Module ID: Developmental Psychology The present study is interested in evaluating the non-parental care of the children during their early years, by paying special concentration upon the work created by Ahnert & Lamb (2004). One of the most striking objectives behind carrying out the current research on the above-stated topic includes the tremendous increase in the tendency of keeping the infants and small children under the supervision of daycare professionals during the contemporary era, in the wake of the significant rise in the proportion of working women in almost all regions of the globe.

Nevertheless, despite the very reality that concept of non-parental care of young ones appears to be in constant increase; somehow, such type of childcare could leave some essential flaws in their personality and socialization.The contemporary era has witnessed an imperative growth in the number and percentage of working women predominantly in developed nations of the globe (Vespa, Lewis and Krieder 2). As a result, the mothers of the young ones either hire the services of some caretaker to look after the children between the age-group from 0-5 years at home (Ahnert & Lamb 2), or get them enrolled at childcare centers during their work hours as professionals rendering services against different posts and in different workplaces.

In addition, the children are also brought under the administration of grand-mothers, aunts or some other relations, who would take care of the children during the absence of their parents, especially the mothers. Somehow, the analysts frequently discard the concept of placing the small babies under non-parental care, which could turn out to be detrimental to the proper upbringing and socialization of the young ones. It is partly due to the very fact that no one could shower the magnitude of love and affection on the children that is attributed to their biological parents.

As a result, the children may undergo negligence to be observed on the part of the hired care-givers or the individuals other than real parents. While discussing the status and position of grandparents, it becomes evident that the grand-parents are generally at the stage, which is not appropriate one for caring and bringing up of children due to their old age. Hence, they are already in need of some look after rather than providing care to the young ones of their children. Hence, their health problems and lack of fitness could turn out to be harmful for the proper nurturing of their grandchildren.

On the other hand, the parents’ leaving the children under the supervision of neighbors, family friends or the individuals, other than the blood relations, could be dangerous for the health and security of the children. Hence, complains are made against non-family children care-givers for their inefficiencies in respect of offering the children timely food and healthcare facility. In addition, the neighbors and non-family members have also been found to have their hands in abduction and kidnapping of children (Finkelhor, Hotaling, and Sedlak 228-9).

Consequently, the children and even their parents could feel them to be insecure under the care of non-family members. Ahnert and Lamb have also elaborated the topic under examination by alluding to the attachment theory, which states that since children seek psychological and emotional relief and satisfaction during their staying with parents, the parental supervision is mandatory for protecting them from the emotional discomfort and sentimental collapse (2). The authors have also produced the references of a few researches conducted on the topics of normal and healthy growth and cognitive development of the children, where the studies have endorsed the very notion that the children’s long stay in childcare centers as well as under the care of some other individuals instead of their biological parents for several hours a day, tends to make them aggressive, violent and non-complying (Ahnert and Lamb 3).

To conclude, it becomes evident that humans, and even other non-human living creatures, could grow and flourish in an environment that could be stated to be closer to their nature. It is equally applied to the innocent children, which always seek mental peace and sentimental comforts during their remaining under the benevolent administration and compassionate and dedicated care of their affectionate biological parents (Ahnert & Lamb 4). On the contrary, their remaining in daycare as well as under any non-parental supervision may create the sense of deprivation and insecurity, which may leave many flaws in their personality traits, predominantly emotional imbalance, aggression and alienation as well.

Works CitedAhnert, Lieselotte., & Lamb, Michael E. “Child Care and Its Impact on Young Children (0-5).” Encyclopedia of Early Child Development Free University, Germany. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, USA. February 5, 2004 1-4.Finkelhor, David., Hotaling, Gerald T., & Sedlak, Andrea J. “The Abduction of Children by Strangers and Nonfamily Members: Estimating the Incidence Using Multiple Methods.” 1992 226-35. Web. www.unh.edu/ccrc/pdf/MC4.pdfVespa, Jonathan.

, Lewis, Jamie M., & Krieder, Rose M. “America’s Families and Living Arrangements 2012: Population Characteristics.” August 2013 1-34. Web. www.census.gov/prod/2013pubs/p20-570.pdf