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DURHAM, N.C., July 29 (UPI) -- Infants who get plenty of affection from their mothers cope better as adults, U.S. researchers suggest.
Joanna Maselko of Duke University in Durham, N.C., and colleagues followed up on data collected in the early 1960s in Rhode Island that tracked interactions between pairs of 8-month-old infants and their mothers observed by professional psychologists, who evaluated the mothers along a scale ranging from "negative" to "caressing" to "extravagant."
you would be surprised. i have met so many parents who are not affectionate with their kids in order to teach them how to "cope"...
i lose respect for them--i cant help it. maybe they weren't hugged enough as kids.
most times i feel like i am the only one who hugs my son in public...and i get looks.
i dont hug him to show others that i am affectionate--i do it because it's what i feel.
My affection for my kids is constant whether I'm in public or not.
Last summer when my 34 year old and her family came to visit, she sat on my lap and I rocked her. Every time my 16 year old feels bad or ill or is hurting in any way, she ALWAYS sits on my lap for rocking and holding. My boy is 6'2" and is very affectionate. He loves hugging and kisses.
We all pat, pet, pinch, hug, touch; we've always been an affectionate family privately and in public.
We, also, are a very touchy family. I was delighted when my 14 year old son reached out and held my hand yesterday walking across a parking lot (and then I'm blinking back tears because I'm so touched that he would do that and not feel uncomfortable about it). I hope my children have learned to cope with life's issues, and if me being affectionate has helped that - then I'm happy .
Touch is one of the most important stress reducers that there is. It equates with love and belonging (sorry, if I sound like a therapist, I am! Can't resist). There are lots of studies done to figure out the relationship between a child's development and affection. Mary Ainsworth did an extensive study early in the 20th century about the topic, as well. I'm glad to see the studies continue to confirm her results, though it seems like a no brainer to me
When I am talking with my kids, it's actually hard for me not to touch them on the hair, arm or back. Hugs are a daily occurence, especially when I tuck them into bed. It just seems like a natural extension of my love for them. It could also be because I never had affection as a child so I feel a great need to express my feelings in my relationship with my kids.
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