I have no clue on how so many like her can function in day to day life; if they would for once just be honest with themselves and live life accordingly, then there would be a lot less damaged kids. It’s not like this woman wanted to make much of an effort; she liked the healthier child more because she didn’t hvae to make an effort, the older one required more attention and care and love, but this woman was unwilling to give it.
That’s rather harsh, and scientifically it holds little if any truth. We like to pretend that we’re in total control of everything and that everything is a choice that someone could make if only they were good enough.
The truth of the matter is that maternal bonding is psychologically and physiologically complicated. Increased levels of serotonin and oxycontin accompany the early bonding with a child, with or without breastfeeding. This girl’s condition obviously hindered that process and it’s likely that the lack of seratonin and oxycontin did inhibit bonding. The mother isn’t really at fault for failing to produce the typical mammalian response.