Companion Animals As A Support Mechanism For The...

1019HUM – Academic Essay ‘Companion Animals as a Support Mechanism for the Development of Children in the Parent-Child Relationship’ The childhood development process and the environments that children are required to develop in, are fundamentally complex and dynamic (Esposito, McCune, Griffin Maholmes 2011; Zacker 1957; Mueller 2014). There are many difficulties that both parents and children often encounter throughout a child’s development. In many circumstances, people have insufficient support available to assist them in overcoming difficult situations. The presence of these difficulties can have negative consequences for childhood development (Endenburg Van Lith 2011, p. 210). In the last few decades, extensive research has†¦show more content†¦Lastly, this paper concludes that support mechanisms within families are an important factor for ensuring optimal childhood development. Therefore, further research should be conducted on the role that companion animals can have in family support systems. In order to examine the benefits a companion animal can provide a child during their development, it is necessary to first outline those developmental processes that occur throughout the development stages. â€Å"Children have to master tasks concerning cognitive†¦ social and emotional development. These tasks represent milestones in development† (Endenburg Van Lith 2011, p. 208). Cognitive development refers to a broad range of processes that involve linguistic and perceptual operations; encompassing a child’s ability to read, write, and perform arithmetic (Weiner 1977, p. 87; Endenburg Van Lith 2011, p. 209). Social-emotional development is greatly determined by levels of self-esteem, and consists of the child’s ability to create positive relationships, and to experience and express ideas, feelings and emotions while engaging with their environment (Weiner 1977, p. 88; Endenburg Van Lith 2011, p. 209). These developmental processes are influenced by ma ny variables; such as those within the child’s social network, and the functioning and style of parenting the child is exposed to (Hurley 2014; Endenburg Van Lith 2011). Exploring the benefits of companion animals