Nature, Nurture, and Attachment: Implications in Light of Expanding Definitions of Parenthood

Abstract

Recent expansion of the legal definition of parenthood in New York State raises the question of whether the presence of a genetic relationship between a parent and child trumps environmental and interpersonal factors in the formation of a strong, secure attachment bond. The purpose of this paper is to emphasize that attachment between a child and secure attachment figure is inherently biological, and that such biological attachment supersedes the existence of a genetic parent-child relationship. First, the paper provides an overview of attachment and its biological basis. It then discusses the impact on attachment of environmental and interpersonal influences, which current research suggests have the power to alter brain biology. There is no clear evidence that a genetic relationship confers a significant advantage in terms of attachment. This paper proposes that the term "biological parent" be redefined to include anyone with whom a child shares a strong attachment bond.

Recognition of attachment difficulties and developmental trauma is the responsibility of all paediatricians

“…The field of developmental trauma has its origins in the early work of Freud . Developmental trauma refers to the neurobiological impact of ACEs, particularly in settings where the child is establishing attachment with his or her parent(s) and experiencing repetitive traumatic experiences within a relationship that should protect them from harm . These experiences can include witnessing or experiencing domestic violence, a lack of consistent parenting due to parental mental health concerns and/or drug use or alcohol abuse, or due to abuse or neglect, whether emotional or physical …”

“…38,39 Developmental trauma refers to the neurobiological impact of ACEs, 40 particularly in settings where the child is establishing attachment with his or her parent(s) and experiencing repetitive traumatic experiences within a relationship that should protect them from harm. 5,7,41 These experiences can include witnessing or experiencing domestic violence, a lack of consistent parenting due to parental mental health concerns and/or drug use or alcohol abuse, or due to abuse or neglect, whether emotional or physical. 42 It is well recognised that developmental trauma has lasting impacts on child and adult physical and mental health 8,[43][44][45][46] and can lead to neurobiological changes.…”

“…Neuroscience research has recently provided evidence to support the biological basis of attachment theory . The impact of difficult or impoverished parent–child relationships on child brain development and long‐term health is now well known .…”

“…4 Neuroscience research has recently provided evidence to support the biological basis of attachment theory. 5,6 The impact of difficult or impoverished parent-child relationships on child brain development and long-term health is now well known. 7 The Adverse Childhood Experiences 8 (ACE) study, published in 1998, provided a fundamental understanding of the importance of parent-child relationships.…”

Parental burnout: a scoping review

“…Attachment has a biological basis but is shaped by environmental and interpersonal influences rather than a genetic relationship. Therefore, parents can be considered as anyone to whom children have a strong bond of attachment (1) .…”