‘A two-person job’: the role of a supportive matrix for ‘good enough’ parenting

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper employs the psychoanalytic method of observation over 12 months to examine the development of an infant (Andrea) and her caregiving environment through weekly one-hour visits. Initially, the observations focused on interactions between Andrea and her mother, who was a single parent during pregnancy and Andrea’s early weeks. As the father became more involved, the focus broadened to include him, shifting the family dynamic from a dyadic to a triadic structure. This transition offers nuanced insights into the complexities of parental roles and the factors that enable ‘good enough’ parenting and healthy child development. The observations highlight that parenting, particularly caring for a newborn, is a challenging task requiring a collaborative family environment, with active parental involvement and broader support systems for both the caregiver and the child. This support helps ensure adequate parenting, which in turn fosters the infant’s emotional security and overall well-being. Drawing on psychoanalytic theories, these observations seem to show that while the primary caregiver-infant dyad is crucial, the effectiveness of caregiving and the child’s development are greatly enhanced by the larger support network. This underscores the need for stronger societal support systems to help caregivers and infants thrive, particularly in increasingly individualistic Western cultures.