A strong argument can be made that most of the problems in the world are the result of developmental deficits – humans whose growth becomes distorted or stunted as a result of not getting basic needs met, particularly in early life.
What does crime, addiction, mental health and the pathological power have in common? All find their roots in early development and represent adaptations to an environment of under-care or some form of maltreatment. The problem with the way we look at problems is that we focus on symptoms far ‘downstream’ from the ‘upstream’ causes.
99% of human history was spent in small-band hunter-gatherer societies that, amongst other things, was characterised by deep relationality – humans were in almost constant connection with others and the natural world. We are a social species and evolved to expect this kind of connection – particularly as infants. Our ancestors experienced a deeply enriching developmental environment: The mother was subject to soothing experiences during pregnancy and around birth; in the early years, the mother-infant dyad were in constant skin-to-skin contact, breast-feeding was received on demand for an extended period of time (often up to four years); a warm relational environment comprised of alloparents (the wider web of the community) create a secure, safe environment. All of these experiences served to keep both mother and infant regulated and free from toxic stress allowing for optimal brain development, setting strong foundations for health and well-being throughout the lifetime.
Modern societies have changed the early environment into an isolated, stressed and distracted place in which infants are often subjected to isolation. Separation and isolation is probably the most stressful thing a young human can experience. We need constant companionship in the early years. Failure to do so will inevitably leads to a whole plethora of social problems later in life.
It is not, however, just the presence of others that determines whether an environment is ‘growth-promoting’ – it is the nature of that presence. Human beings grow optimally in a climate of warm, reciprocal, attuned and responsive relationships. This means that we have the social and emotional skills to sense what the other is signalling, to ‘feel with’ them, and to respond in ways that helps them feel understood, validated and affirmed. Too often the kinds of environments we create are ‘adversarial’ – in that they seek to control, coerce and cajole, rather than trust the innate intelligence and wisdom of human nature.
We need only peer into our evolutionary past to find a model of optimal care. Continued failure to alter the culture we have created for early life care will only lead to creating future generations of dysfunctional adults wreaking destruction upon the world.