This week on Radio Curious, we dig into the archives for our 2005 discussion with Dr. Gordon Neufeld, co-author of the book "Hold on to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More than Peers." We discussed how the economic and cultural changes that have occurred in North American society in the past fifty years have resulted in todayâs children looking to their peers, instead of their parents, for direction; for a sense of right and wrong; and for values, identity and codes of behavior.
Barry Vogel, attorney and counselor, is the host and creator of Radio Curious. The assistant producer is Angie Voyles Askham.
The economic and cultural changes that have occurred in North American society in the past fifty or so years have resulted in todayâs children looking to and associating with their peers, instead of their parents, for direction; for a sense of right and wrong; and for values, identity, and codes of behavior. This peer orientation works to undermine family cohesion. It interferes with healthy development and fosters a sexualized youth culture in which children lose their individuality and tend to become conformist, desensitized and alienated.  These conceptsâand what to do about them to develop strong families and emotionally healthy childrenâare explained in the book âHold on to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers,â by Gordon Neufeld, Ph.D. and Gabor Mate, M.D.  When I spoke with Dr. Gordon Neufeld from his home in Vancouver, British Columbia, we began our conversation with a discussion of the importance of developing an attachment between the adult caregiver and the child, beginning at infancy.
Dr. Gordon Neufeld is the author of âHold on to Your Kids:  Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers. The book he recommends is âThe Anatomy of Dependence,â by Takeo Doi.  This interview was originally broadcast on October 25, 2005. More information about Dr. Neufeldâs work may be found on his website, www.GordonNeufeld.com.
Radio Curious is a half-hour, weekly, long-form interview program, now in its 27th year. We interview people on a curiously wide variety of topics about life and ideas. Our website is www.radiocurious.org. If your station airs Radio Curious please let us know curious@radiocurious.org, we will add you to our list of syndicate stations. We also welcome questions, feedback and program ideas. Radio Curious 280 N. Oak St. Ukiah, Ca 95482. (707) 462-6541.