'Formative years'

[Cacoethes]

Just a random question.

I always thought that 'formative years' referred to the stages from adolescence, or maybe going into adolescence.
I have recently been told that 'formative years' are from birth and I disagree.

It's not important, I just find it interesting and wondered if any of you educated people out there could help me out!

[random.swirls]

I think formative years in a tradition sense refers to from birth as thats when the major things like attachment will happen.

As an example if a baby doesn't have secure parenting e.g. there basic needs aren't meant e.g. if they're hungry they're fed, if they cry they're comforted and so on means that realistically they're happy. If these needs aren't met the baby is going to be incredibly confused and unhappy and in term they aren't going to grow up 'securely' for want of a better needs.

In terms of attachment again a baby who doesn't have secure attachments is going to be very confused and that's why these are the formative years as damage done then is going to be very hard to put right.

I could go on but im brain numb and im not sure if im making a huge amount of sense. That said there are two studies you could look up
Harlows monkeys and Ainsworth's strange situation. These both look at atttachment but are a good place to start.

[Cacoethes]

That does make sense.
I have read those studies before :)

I suppose I just thought of formative years being the ones where you begin to form your own personality and become more of your own person, because when you are a baby you remember nothing about the influence or attachments that you make. Like no one remembers anything from when they were 1 or 2 years old. If that makes sense?

[random.swirls]

I get what you mean

I suppose the thing is if you have never felt 'secure' your going to have a huge problem formulating your personality etc.

One thing I've heard is that people with personality disorders are like toddlers in the way that they really struggle to meet there own emotional needs. So if a baby cries because they are startled for example they should be picked up and cuddled which will soothe them. That baby will grow up into an adult who can self soothe. If an adult doesn't have that ability to self soothe then they find ways to deal with strong emotions and that wont be healthy

[Cacoethes]

I agree with that.
My mum was reading a book recently about child development and read that babies who were left to cry it out by themselves without intervention were likely to have issues as adults. She joked that my brother should be the one with problems and not me because she did that with him!

I suppose formative is quite a broad term!
Depends what you are forming!