Hello
I am currently in my 3rd year at University working on an assignment involving carrying out an observation on a child and analysing the observation with relevant theory.
The observation I carried out was in the family home of an eight year old boy who lived alone with his mother who had the boy as a teenager and had raised him independently. The mother had recently started a relationship with a man who is now often at the family home.
I was keen to observe how the child interacted with the mother and the mothers boyfriend and if this was at all different. I observed the mother and child playing together and later the child preparing a meal with the mothers boyfriend. Throughout the observation I was aware of a strong bond between mother and son, as well as the lack of male influence in the child’s life. He seemed comfortable cooking with the mothers boyfriend and listened to the commands the boyfriend gave him whilst asking things such as “Do you want me to put it there”, as though wanting to make sure he was doing this correctly. In contrast when playing with his mother he isolated himself not really allowing her to play the games he was playing.
I have read journal articles relating to the affects of teenage motherhood on children, lack of male role models and looking at family systems perspectives. As well as this I have touched on Bowlby and strong bonds of attachment and Winnicott’s concept of ‘good - enough’ mothering.
I wondered if anyone knew of any more recent theories or ideas relating to these areas or any further reading recommendations?
Thank you very much for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Harriet Smith
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