ABSTRACT

The contact between the eyes triggers a surge in hormones in the mother especially of the 'love hormone' oxytocin that allows her love for her baby to develop. Moreover, and of immense importance, the research has exposed the massive impact on individuals, society and its economics from Adverse Childhood Experiences throughout childhood. The life trajectories of children are malleable, pliable and susceptible to external influences, and it must make the greatest of sense for us to be aware of them, research their genesis and above all find ways of ameliorating them through early intervention. So, by far the most important political reason for all of us and especially politicians to be concerned about our children is the stark economic reality of our rapidly changing demography.