Mothering is the process of providing physical and emotional care to an infant or young child. It is a vital part of the development of a child’s physical, emotional, social, and cognitive skills. The quality and quantity of mothering a child receives can have a lasting effect on their future.
The definition of mothering is not limited to biological mothers. It can include adoptive mothers, foster mothers, stepmothers, and even other female caregivers such as grandmothers, sisters, or aunts. Mothering is a complex process, involving both physical and emotional components.
Physically, mothering includes providing nutrition, protection, shelter, and medical care. Emotionally, it includes providing comfort, security, and attachment. Studies have found that mothering has a major influence on a child’s wellbeing, with good mothering associated with better physical and emotional health, higher self-esteem, and fewer behavioral problems.
Mothering is a process that goes through many stages as a child grows. From infancy to adolescence, the amount and quality of mothering can vary depending on the child’s needs. In the early stages, it is important for a mother to be responsive to a child’s needs in order to establish a secure attachment. As a child grows older, mothering may include teaching life skills, providing guidance, and helping to foster a child’s independence.
For further reading, please see the following scientific journal articles:
1. McLanahan, S., & Sandefur, G. (1994). Growing Up with a Single Parent: What Hurts, What Helps. Harvard University Press.
2. Volling, B.L., Belsky, J., & Crnic, K. (1996). Mothering, Fathering, and Childs Play: Links to Children’s Development in Early and Middle Childhood. Developmental Psychology, 32(3), 590-602.
3. Kirkpatrick, M., & Davis-Kean, P. (2005). The Influence of Mothering on Child Development: Short and Long-term Effects. Developmental Psychology, 41(2), 217-233.
4. Bell, M.A., & Harper, J.R. (2007). The Effects of Maternal Stress on Infant Development: A Review of Prospective Studies. Developmental Psychology, 43(2), 229-239.
5. Belsky, J. (2011). Differential Susceptibility to Rearing Influence: An Evolutionary Hypothesis and Some Evidence. Developmental Psychobiology, 53(4), 417-434.