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Modern parenting methods interfere with brain development
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
Cultural beliefs and modern views on life interfere with normal brain development and hinder the healthy emotional development of a child, scientists from the University of Notre Dame have concluded.
Scientists believe that the quality of life of young people has worsened, especially compared to how children were raised fifty years ago.
“Breastfeeding infants, responding to their cries, and near-constant contact with multiple caregivers are among the foundations of parenting methods that positively impact a child’s developing brain and not only shape personality but also promote physical health and moral development,” said Dr. Darcia Narvaez, lead author of the study. “Unfortunately, modern parenting methods include a separate room for the baby, the use of infant formula almost from birth, and the belief that an immediate response to a child’s cries will only ‘spoil’ the child, so young mothers are slow to calm the baby down, so as not to spoil him too much with their attention.”
Research shows that mothers' "responses" to their babies' cries influence the development of their children's moral principles; mothers' touches help develop stress reactivity, emotional control, and empathy; and playing in nature influences social potential and aggression levels.
Read also: How to deal with aggression in a preschooler?
Modern babies spend much more time in strollers, more and more mothers switch to artificial feeding and only fifteen percent of mothers breastfeed their child for all twelve months. Most mothers and fathers spend little time communicating with their children and playing with them compared to the 70s of the last century.
As a result, modern methods of education lead to the fact that the level of aggression even in small children is increased, they are prone to anxiety states and cope worse with stressful situations. There are many offenders among young children. In addition, modern children are worse educated in terms of moral principles, and their sense of empathy and compassion is less developed.
But in addition to parents, teachers and relatives can have a beneficial influence on the child.
"The right hemisphere of the brain, which is responsible for human creativity and empathy, can grow throughout life. Therefore, it is never too late for parents to engage in the development of their child's creative potential," the researchers say.
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