Attachment Theory

Attachment theory is the idea that a "strong emotional and physical attachment to at least one primary caregiver is critical to personal development." It proposes having a caregiver, usually the mother, give all her time and energy to a child, and hypothesizes that if this is not done properly the child may develop problems later in life. It is the basis for attachment parenting and intensive mothering, and it was invented by John Bowlby in the 1930s.