Which statement is supported by the material regarding insecure attachment and child care?

Which statement is supported by the material regarding insecure attachment and child care?

• A. Child care increases secure attachment for all children
• B. Child care has no effect on attachment
• C. Child care is linked to insecure attachment especially for girls
• D. Only parental care influences attachment

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is how nonparental child care can relate to attachment security. The material indicates there can be a link between child care and insecure attachment, and this link is often more evident for girls. In other words, nonparental care is not universally harmful, but research has found that, for some children—especially girls—being in child care can be associated with greater risk of insecure attachment, particularly when care quality or caregiver sensitivity is lacking. This nuance helps explain why the statement about a connection to insecure attachment in this group is the best-supported choice. By contrast, saying it always increases secure attachment ignores potential risks; saying there’s no effect contradicts evidence of associations; and saying only parental care influences attachment overlooks the influence nonparental care can have in certain contexts.

The main idea here is how nonparental child care can relate to attachment security. The material indicates there can be a link between child care and insecure attachment, and this link is often more evident for girls. In other words, nonparental care is not universally harmful, but research has found that, for some children—especially girls—being in child care can be associated with greater risk of insecure attachment, particularly when care quality or caregiver sensitivity is lacking. This nuance helps explain why the statement about a connection to insecure attachment in this group is the best-supported choice. By contrast, saying it always increases secure attachment ignores potential risks; saying there’s no effect contradicts evidence of associations; and saying only parental care influences attachment overlooks the influence nonparental care can have in certain contexts.