In this episode of The Psychology Undergrad, we take on one of the most emotionally charged questions in psychology: how much does family structure really matter for child development? From Bowlby’s attachment theory and the “mother-supreme” doctrine to Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological model, we unpack what the evidence actually says about nuclear families, single parents, stepfamilies, gay and lesbian parents, and divorce. The takeaway isn’t moral—it’s psychological: conflict, stability, and quality of care matter far more than labels.

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