Amira Zubairi & Sandleen

AzamHSB 4U1February, 24th 2012

Benjamin Spock

Benjamin Spock

“You know more than you think you can do. Don’t be afraid to trust your own common sense. Take it easy, trust your own instincts”-Dr. Benjamin Spock

“Baby Doctor”

Born on May 2nd, 1903 in New Haven, ConnecticutSon of Benjamin Ives Spock and Mildred Louise Stoughton SpockEldest of six children, in a strict and stern familyEducated at private preparatory schoolsWent to Yale University, majored in English LiteratureTransferred to Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons

Background

Background

Studied at New York Psychoanalytic Institute

Member of the rowing crew that represented the United States in the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris, France

In 1927, he married Jane Chaney

Married again in 1976 to Mary Morgan

Died on March 15th, 1998 in La Jolla, California

Focused on Psychology and psychiatryStudied mental illness, emotional disturbance and abnormal behaviourPracticed pediatrics and taught psychiatry and child developmentGreat observer of the human condition

Field of Research

Believed child care should be a positive and loving experience for both parents and kidsDiscouraged punishmentIntroduced the idea of showing affection and compassion in parentingEmphasized accommodating to children's feelings and catering to their preferences Addressed that each child is an individual and must be treated differently

Field of Research

Insight to psychology by studying human behavior and relationshipsDifferent methods to cope with childrenBaby and Child Care - written between 1943 and 1946, a book on child rearing

Contributions & Insight

Introduced positive child rearing - saying parents should be less strict on childrenInsight was gained by educators and psychologistsWebsites and parenting books are inspired by him

Contributions & Insight

Introduced a new outlook on parentingEncouraged parents to use their own instincts while raising childrenRecognized that disabled children are different than usual kid Caring for Your Disabled Child

Further Insight

His ideas can relate to sociology by studying the way parents raise their kids in different cultures

Connected to anthropology by changing the history of American culture on parents and childcare

Promoted the idea of joint-parenting

Parents considered a different style of raising their children

Further Insight

vs.

Spock contributed to psychology and child rearing

Parents still follow the ideas of Spock today

His books have sold over 5 millions copies in over 40 different languages

His books and ideas remain popular amongst educators, psychologists, and parents

Modern social issues affect parenting styles - parents can resort to Spock’s ideals on parenting

Credibility & Validity

Thank You!