Seductive Behavior of Mothers of Toddlers: Occurrence, Correlates, and Family Origins

Abstract

SROUFE, L. ALAN, and WARD, MARY J. Seductive Behavior of Mothers of Toddlers: Occurrence, Correlates, and Family Origins. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1980, 51, 1222-1229. As part of a longitudinal study of lower-SES mothers and children through the first 5 years of life, measures of limit setting and control in a toy cleanup situation were developed. Of particular interest were a group of techniques including certain forms of sensual physical contact, sensual teasing, promises of affection, and maternal requests for affection. This category of behavior was reliably coded. In a sample of 173 mothers, 16 (9.25%) exhibited 1 or more of these behaviors. Several findings suggested a distinction between this seductive behavior and warmth or affection: (1) the behavior was directed almost exclusively to males (15 of 16); (2) it was associated with significantly more physical punishment and threats of punishment; (3) it was not related to cooperation, encouragement, or emotional support; and (4) in general, in both this context and a tool-problem situation, these 16 mothers were rated as less supportive and less effective in guiding their children than other mothers in the total sample, other mothers of boys, or mothers showing affection. Independent interviews with 36 mothers, including 8 mothers exhibiting seductive behavior, revealed clearly different family histories. The developmental implications of this pattern of maternal behavior are discussed.