In her seminal work, The Continuum Concept, Jean Liedloff presents the controversial theory GMAT Reading Comprehension

Reading Passage Question

In her seminal work, The Continuum Concept, Jean Liedloff presents the controversial theory that Western methods of child rearing create the very problem these methods purport to eliminate-excessive dependency upon the caretaker. Liedloff contrasts her observations of modern American society with those of the quuana tribe of the Amazon, with whom she lived on four separate occasions spanning several years. Liedloff claims that all humans operate on a continuum and are genetically predisposed to thrive under certain conditions. We also compensate for treatment which does not coincide with these optimal conditions by adapting our behavior to stabilize our psyches.

A baby who is in constant bodily contact with its caregiver receives physical stimulation that allows the child to feel secure and ”right." In contrast, a child who is alone most of the time and left to "cry it out" does not receive the necessary physical contact. This creates a dependency in the child, who soon develops the grasping need for attention, even negative attention. Liedloff contends that some parents' fears that they will spoil their baby by holding it "too much” or by feeding it on demand are unreasonable and even detrimental to the child's mental health and social development.

Adults who have been deprived of their continuum needs as children often seek to stabilize themselves by engaging in self-defeating or destructive behavior, which replicates the treatment to which they have become accustomed. Victims of emotionally barren parents may tend to seek mates who are domineering and cold, making true intimacy virtually impossible. Others may feel a lingering sense of guilt induced by a caregiver who never seemed to accept the child's existence. This guilt makes it difficult for an adult to feel peaceful or happy unless he is in crisis either physically or emotionally; the unresolved feelings of shame from childhood do not allow the adult to live a pain-free life.

Liedloff's critics argue that this form of “attachment parenting" does not enforce the natural hierarchy of parent over child in the family relationship. They stress that without a clear dominance of parent over child and discipline requiring the child to bend to the will of the parents from the moment of birth. the child does not develop a sense of right versus wrong.

Many of these critics espouse more scientific methods of raising children that rely on regularly scheduled feedings in infancy and careful control of the child's environment as the child grows older. Liedloff's response is that tight parental control over the child undermines its natural impulses toward socially acceptable behavior. Without choice, the child will not gain experience in making decisions and will be forced to look to an outside authority rather than use his own judgment. Upsetting the balance of the continuum by co-opting the child's natural ability to move toward independence and decision-making skills. she asserts, ultimately results in a lack of maturity and self-reliance in the adult.

“ In her seminal work, The Continuum Concept, Jean Liedloff presents the controversial theory” - is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates must have a solid grip on English GMAT reading comprehension. There are 4 multiple-choice questions in the above GMAT Reading Comprehension passages. GMAT Reading Comprehension Questions are delineated to evaluate candidates’ abilities to analyze and be conceptual for the answers. Candidates can brace up and take preparation by answering GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions.

Solution and Explanation

1. The main point of the whole passage is to

1. Describe a strange thing.
2. Clarify a vague idea.
3. Criticize an uninformed opinion.
4. Correct a terrible mistake.
5. Back up a different theory

2. The passage says that Liedloff thinks that adults whose sense of continuity was taken away from them as children

1. are unable or unwilling to have children of their own.
2. develop a strong sense of discipline and family hierarchy.
3. may feel shame and inadequacy.
4. look for partners whose strong sense of compassion can fill the void.
5. are too focused on themselves and bossy to be good parents to their kids.

3. Which of the following is the best way to describe what the fourth paragraph does?

1. It lets the reader see how Liedloff and her critics respond to each other's points of view.
2. It settles the argument between the two parenting schools by calling for more testing and research.
3. It hurts the overall point of the passage by implying that Liedloff's theories may need to be completed.
4. lt says that all parents need to show their children that they are in charge of the family.
5. It seems to show that Liedloff might be willing to change her ideas and admit that more scientific methods are important.

4. Which of the following is an example of adult behaviour that upsets "the balance of the continuum"?

1. Getting the child to play with slightly older kids before they are ready.
2. Making the child follow a strict sleeping schedule, even if the child says they don't want to.
3. Deciding not to have more kids to stop the cycle of bad parenting.
4. Giving the child his room as soon as money allows.
5. Punishing a child who willfully disobeys an order.

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