Feeding, Bonding, and the Formation of Social Relationships: Ethnographic Challenges to Attachment Theory and Early Childhood Interventions

This Element explores the cultural significance of feeding practices in forming relationships, based on ethnographic case studies in various countries. It challenges the idea of a single optimal feeding standard and highlights the role of feeding in bonding and relationship formation. It suggests that feeding practices can lead to qualitatively distinct forms of relationships and calls for the expansion of attachment theory to include feeding and body-centered caregiving.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 75 pages
Publication date: 17 August 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This Element delves into the intricate connections between feeding and the formation of relationships, drawing from ethnographic case studies conducted in Morocco, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and Costa Rica. Research findings reveal a rich diversity of culturally valued feeding practices, challenging the notion of a singular, universally optimal feeding standard. Furthermore, the analysis underscores the pivotal role of feeding in bonding and relationship formation, a dimension often overlooked in contemporary developmental theories. Through an examination of the proximal, transactional, and distal dimensions of feeding, this Element establishes that feeding plays a significant role in shaping the nature of relationships. It argues that feeding practices can yield qualitatively distinct forms of connections, with profound theoretical and practical implications. It calls for the expansion of attachment theory to encompass feeding and body-centered caregiving, as well as significant revisions to global interventions currently centered around responsive feeding.

Moreover, this Element highlights the need to recognize the cultural and contextual variations in feeding practices and to promote respectful and inclusive approaches that honor the diverse ways in which families nurture their children. By embracing a broader understanding of feeding and relationships, we can enhance our understanding of child development, promote optimal health outcomes, and foster stronger and more resilient communities.

ISBN-13: 9781009306270