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Protective parenting: neurobiological and behavioral dimensions
Marian J Bakermans-Kranenburg1, Marinus H van IJzendoorn2
1Centre for Child and Family Studies, Leiden University, The Netherlands; Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden University, The Netherlands.
Current Opinion in Psychology
|August 17, 2017
Summary
Parental protection, a vital aspect of human parenting, is an evolutionary behavior observed from pregnancy through childhood. Future research should explore individual differences in protective caregiving quality.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary psychology
- Developmental psychology
- Behavioral science
Background:
- Parental protection is a critical, yet understudied, dimension of human parenting.
- Protective behaviors manifest early, even during pregnancy, to safeguard the developing fetus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the significance of parental protection in evolutionary and developmental contexts.
- To identify key areas for future research concerning parental protection.
Main Methods:
- This review synthesizes existing literature on parental protection.
- It examines protective behaviors across different stages of human development.
Main Results:
- Parental protection is an innate, species-wide behavior linked to evolutionary pressures.
- It complements infant attachment behaviors, ensuring proximity to caregivers.
- Parental anxiety regarding child safety from external threats is a key motivator.
Conclusions:
- Parental protection is a fundamental aspect of human caregiving with evolutionary roots.
- Further investigation into the correlates and consequences of varying protective parenting quality is essential.
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