Final answer:
Benjamin Spock advocated for a nurturing and affectionate approach to parenting, opposing corporal punishment, and suggesting mothers should be present at home. He encouraged recognizing the emotional needs of children and promoted a balanced parenting style, which was influential globally.
Step-by-step explanation:
The view of parents in child development according to Benjamin Spock was quite progressive for its time. Spock emphasized the importance of treating children with respect and understanding, straying away from the rigid discipline that was characteristic of previous generations. In his influential book, The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care, Spock advocated for a more nurturing and affectionate approach to parenting. He advised against corporal punishment like spanking, encouraged family meetings to allow children a voice, and suggested that mothers should ideally stay at home to raise their children.
Spock's perspective was that children thrived when they were raised in an environment that was both loving and structured. His recommendations emphasized the emotional needs of children, suggesting that parenting involve a balance of freedom and discipline. This contrasted with the then-common belief that children should be seen and not heard, and that strict adherence to authority was essential for proper upbringing.
While Spock's recommendations were reflective of middle-class American norms of his time, it's notable that his advice also had a worldwide impact, shifting parenting attitudes towards a more child-centric approach.