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Pediatric Education and Research 13(2 (Special Supplement -II)):p 502-505, July-Dec 2025. | DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/per.2321.1644.13225.126
Review Article
Contribution of Dr. Benjamin Spock in the Field of Paediatrics
Shivraj Madhavrao Shrirame, Kasumbiwal Ajay H., Lakhe Shiddheshwar, Pavani Kaithi
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Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
Pediatric Education and Research 13(2 (Special Supplement -II)):p 502-505, July-Dec 2025. | DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/per.2321.1644.13225.126
How Cite This Article:
Kasumbiwal Ajay H., Lakhe Shiddheshwar, Pawani Kaithi, et al. Contribution of Dr. Benjamin Spock in the Field of Paediatrics. Pediatr. Edu. Res. 2025; 13(2): 502-505.Timeline
Received : December 10, 2025
Accepted : December 22, 2025
Published : December 30, 2025
Abstract
Dr. Benjamin Spock was a 20th-century paediatrician whose integration of psychoanalysis with child-care practices fundamentally reshaped modern parenting. Raised in a large family and trained at Yale and Columbia, he combined medical science with insights from psychology to promote flexible, empathetic, child-centered parenting challenging the rigid, authoritarian norms of his time. His landmark book, The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care, became a global influence, emphasizing parental intuition, emotional development, and individualized care. Spock faced strong criticism from conservative medical circles and political backlash due to his anti-war activism, yet persisted through revisions of his work and continued advocacy for child welfare. His journey demonstrates the value of interdisciplinary thinking, critical evaluation of outdated norms, resilience under criticism, and the ethical responsibility of physicians to society. Key Message: Empathy, flexibility, and scientific understanding are not opposites in paediatrics Spock proved they must work together. Effective child care demands evidence-based practice and attention to emotional development. His work shows that challenging outdated norms is essential if the goal is to raise healthier, more resilient children
References
- 1. Spock, B., & Parker, S.J. Dr. Spock’s Baby and Child Care. 9th ed. New York: Pocket Books; 2011.
- 2. Levenstein, L. A History of Benjamin Spock’s Influence on Parenting in America. Journal of Social History. 2014; 48(1): 1–25.
- 3. Hulbert, A. Raising America: Experts, Parents, and a Century of Advice About Children. New York: Alfred A. Knopf; 2003.
- 4. Mintz, S. Huck’s Raft: A History of American Childhood. Cambridge: Harvard University Press; 2004.
- 5. Breslau, N. “Benjamin Spock and the Transformation of Childcare in the 20th Century.” Pediatrics. 2001; 108(4): 1008–1012.
- 6. Rosenberg, C. “Dr. Benjamin Spock: A Reassessment.” American Journal of Public Health. 1993; 83(8): 1156–1159.
Data Sharing Statement
There are no additional data available. All raw data and code are available upon request.
Funding
This research received no funding.
Author Contributions
All authors contributed significantly to the work and approve its publication.
Ethics Declaration
This article does not involve any human or animal subjects, and therefore does not require ethics approval.
Acknowledgements
We would like to express our gratitude to the patients, their families, and all those who have contributed to this study.
Conflicts of Interest
No conflicts of interest in this work.
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Cite this article
Kasumbiwal Ajay H., Lakhe Shiddheshwar, Pawani Kaithi, et al. Contribution of Dr. Benjamin Spock in the Field of Paediatrics. Pediatr. Edu. Res. 2025; 13(2): 502-505.
Licence:
Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
| Received | Accepted | Published |
|---|---|---|
| December 10, 2025 | December 22, 2025 | December 30, 2025 |
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/per.2321.1644.13225.126
Keywords
Benjamin SpockPaediatricsChild developmentParentingPsychoanalysisHolistic careAttachmentIndividualized child careSearch for Similar Articles
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Timeline
| Received | December 10, 2025 |
| Accepted | December 22, 2025 |
| Published | December 30, 2025 |
licence
Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)
This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.
