Psychology and Child Psychiatry - Essay Example

Implications Attachment Theory s Implications of Attachment Theory Criminal justice is a mechanism established by the government to mitigate offenses borne by law breakers (Richters & Waters, 1991). Mitigation of these crimes may be through sanctions, penalties or punishment to ensure social control. On the other hand, according to Richters and Waters (1991), attachment and socialization in this context refers to a bond or link between a child and the parent parents. This relationship is significant on the childs behavior.

According to Richters & Waters article on, Attachment and Socialization, social development is mostly influenced by the child-parent relationship at early stages of life. The manner, in which the parent and the child relate, influences the outcome behavior of that particular child in his/her adulthood life. Furthermore, attachment theory looks at how this relationship in the early life affects both the mental and emotional aspects of children in their adulthood. In relation to criminal justice, attachment theory evaluates both the prosocial and antisocial behavior of children and their effects to the social norms and control.

Poor attachment between the child and the parent results in antisocial behaviors manifesting itself within the child such as imitating public figures and peers that supplement the child-parent relationship. Attachment theory asserts that a good relationship between the child and their parent may lead to better emotional development and mental well-being. However, parent-child attachment has its implications if not well established. It may lead to children acquiring attributes and traits that do not conform to the social norms, such as, getting involved in criminal.

Secure child-parent attachment results to the child developing sense of self-control and positive attributes. Contrary to that, insecure child-parent attachment may result to the adulthood life of that child to face difficulty in conforming to the social control and norms of the society. Weakened child-parent relationship may lead to increased crime related activities since the children. Parent-child bond is a crucial determinant to the overall relationship of that child with the social norms.

It has been examined that weaker bond results to unaccepted practices later on. This is evident whereby a child raised up by aggressive and abusive parents, develops a negative behavior towards life. He/she may be characterized violence and aggression to others. Additionally, this child may seek refuge in oneself for comfort, love and affection denied to him/her by the parent(s) resulting in antisocial behavior. In summary, excellent parent-child relationship should be advocated and well developed if cases of crime offenders need to be reduced.

Family relationship is the primary unit that shapes the society at a larger. Children should be raised with love, affection and attributes that are aligned with the social norms.ReferencesRichters, J., & Waters, E. (1991). Attachment and socialization: The positive side of social influence. Retrieved from http://www.psychology.sunysb.edu/attachment/online/richters_waters.pdf