Describe Watson’s approach to child rearing. What were the results of that approach within his family?
Watson had published “Psychological Care of the Infant and Child” in 1928 where he firmly criticized the practices of rearing of child. He acclaimed of parents being incompetent and many of whom should be censured for psychological torture.
He brought up a regulatory instead of permissive system of rearing of child keeping with his firm position of environmentalist. The book was contained of strict advice on the behaviorist attitude for bringing up children.
A children’s generation was brought up following the book. Son of Watson, James, a businessman from California, remembered that his father could not show any affection to him or his brother.
Rosalie, Watson’s wife argued that it was difficult for her restraining her affection completely from her sons and at times wanted to break the rules of behaviorism. However, James, her son did not remember anything like this happening.
Both of the Watson’s sons suffered from depression during adolescence and years after that. One of them attempted suicide and had mental collapse and the other one ended up committing suicide. Daughter of Watson from his earlier marriage also had made many attempts for suicide.