ABSTRACT
We discussed previously the fact that Darwin is often cited as the father of the field of child development, even though this claim may not stand up strongly to close scrutiny (see Chapter 2). Darwin’s pre-eminent position as the writer of the first child study – a diary account of one of his own infants – can also be challenged by the fact that there were many earlier such observational diary studies, including many by women, which have been overlooked by history (Bradley, 1989, cited in Burman, 1994; see also Pollock 1983). Indeed, as we noted in the opening chapter, a gendered approach to child study was soon apparent, whereby fathers, but not mothers, were seen to have the necessary emotional detachment to carry out proper scientific studies of their children (Burman, 1994).
