More than just a magnificent Michael Jackson song, human nature versus nuture is an age old debate that really hit home after my last visit to the US to meet my 6 week old nephew.
This little man was born with personality, preferences, and physical traits of both parents. I clearly witnessed the fact that he liked to be held just a little bit longer after he wakes versus after he eats and likes to be bounced when he's tired, not to mention given attention when he's put down. He's a cuddler and attention seeker. One could say he also got that from his parents.
However, what really hit home hard was the fact that his nurturing was going to have to be cut short due to the shotty maternity benefits in the US and that infuriated me. In 6 short weeks he will be put in a daycare center where hopefully the care providers have enough time to take care of his needs, but most likely he will just have to adapt to their schedule and availability.
Right now he is at home in his safe little environment being nurtured and although there are arguments on either side for what is better for the social skills and discipline of the child, there is no argument in my mind that Denmark's policy that a child should be with his mother for the first 6 months of his life is the most humane one.
This little man was born with personality, preferences, and physical traits of both parents. I clearly witnessed the fact that he liked to be held just a little bit longer after he wakes versus after he eats and likes to be bounced when he's tired, not to mention given attention when he's put down. He's a cuddler and attention seeker. One could say he also got that from his parents.
However, what really hit home hard was the fact that his nurturing was going to have to be cut short due to the shotty maternity benefits in the US and that infuriated me. In 6 short weeks he will be put in a daycare center where hopefully the care providers have enough time to take care of his needs, but most likely he will just have to adapt to their schedule and availability.
Right now he is at home in his safe little environment being nurtured and although there are arguments on either side for what is better for the social skills and discipline of the child, there is no argument in my mind that Denmark's policy that a child should be with his mother for the first 6 months of his life is the most humane one.
No comments:
Post a Comment