Parenting and Protests: Dr. Spock's Radical Politics

Dr. Benjamin Spock is best-known for writing the baby bible, The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care. A drastic departure from the parenting techniques du jour, Spock opposed the strict schedule and limited affection espoused by prior child experts. He promoted such crazy techniques as cuddle your baby, feed it when it's hungry, and let it sleep when it's tired, all with a friendly, nonjudgmental tone. His primary advice for parents was, Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do. Spock was actually the first pediatrician also trained in psychology, and of course, countless medical doctors and psychologists have confirmed his infant-centered parenting over the years.