The American pediatrician Benjamin Spock penned several books on child-rearing.
Born in New Haven, Spock studied at Yale and Columbia and won a gold medal in rowing during the 1924 Olympics. Spock's book, 'Dr. Spock's Baby And Child Care' is one of the best-selling volumes in history.
The central premise of the book is that mothers know more than they think they know. It sold over 50 million copies and was translated into 39 languages during his lifetime. His other book, 'The Common Sense Book Of Baby And Child Care' written in 1946, challenged the traditional ideas of child care and promoted a psychological approach.
He was the first pediatrician to study psychoanalysis to understand family dynamics and the needs of children. His research and studies on child care have influenced generations.
It has helped parents become more flexible and affectionate and has educated new parents on the importance of treating children as individuals. Here are a few quotes by the noted pediatrician Dr. Benjamin Spock who continues to inspire parents even years after he passed away.
Most Famous Dr. Spock Quotes
Dr. Spock was one of the most famous doctors of the modern era. When he passed away in 1998, his book 'Dr. Spock's Baby And Child Care' had sold over 50 million copies. Read some of the best quotes by the legendary doctor in the list below.
“In automobile terms, the child supplies the power but the parents have to do the steering.” - 'Dr. Spock's Baby And Child Care', Seventh Edition, 1998.
“Most middle-class whites have no idea what it feels like to be subjected to police who are routinely suspicious, rude, belligerent, and brutal.” - 'Decent And Indecent: Our Personal And Political Behavior', 1970.
"Without freedom of choice, there is no creativity. Without creativity, there is no life."
“There are only two things a child will share willingly—communicable diseases and his mother's age.” - 'Dr. Spock's Baby And Child Care', 1945.
"The main source of good discipline is growing up in a loving family, being loved and learning to love in return."
"A boy, by the age of 3 years, senses that his destiny is to be a man, so he watches his father particularly-his interests, manner, speech, pleasures, his attitude toward work."
"Like my parents, I have never been a regular church member or churchgoer. It doesn’t seem plausible to me that there is the kind of God who watches over human affairs, listens to prayers, and tries to guide people to follow His precepts – there is just too much misery and cruelty for that."
Best Dr.Spock Quotes
Not many people may be aware, but Dr. Spock was an Olympic Gold medalist in rowing. He won the medal in 1924 while studying at Yale University. Here's a list of his best quotes compiled below.
“The fact is that child-rearing is a long, hard job, the rewards are not always immediately obvious, the work is undervalued, and parents are just as human and almost as vulnerable as their children.” - 'Dr. Spock's Baby And Child Care', 1945.
"People have said, 'You've turned your back on pediatrics.' I said, 'No. It took me until I was in my 60s to realize that politics was a part of pediatrics.'” - 1992, Associated Press interview.
“We used to recommend meat, poultry, and fish for children because they are rich in protein and iron. However, we now know that there are harmful effects of a meaty diet, particularly changes in the arteries and weight problems and that these changes begin in childhood.” - 'Dr. Spock's Baby And Child Care', Seventh Edition, 1998.
“I would say that the surest measure of a man's or a woman's maturity is the harmony, style, joy, and dignity he creates in his marriage, and the pleasure and inspiration he provides for his spouse.” - 'Older & Wiser', edited by G. B. Dianda and B. J. Hofmayer, 1995.
"What is the use of physicians like myself trying to help parents to bring up children healthy and happy, to have them killed in such numbers for a cause that is ignoble?"
“The more people have studied different methods of bringing up children the more they have come to the conclusion that what good mothers and fathers instinctively feel like doing for their babies is usually best after all.” - 'The Common Sense Book Of Baby And Child Care', 1946.
"Respect children because they're human beings and they deserve respect, and they'll grow up to be better people."
"All the time a person is a child he is both a child and learning to be a parent. After he becomes a parent he becomes predominantly a parent reliving childhood."
"The strongest rebellion may be expressed in quiet, undramatic behavior."
"It's not the words but the music that counts."
"Grandparents have the freedom to see their grandchildren uncritically."
Most Inspiring Dr. Spock Quotes
(Dr. Spock was an Olympic gold medalist.)
Through his career and life, Dr. Spock was an inspiration to many, helping thousands of parents deal with their kids with more understanding. Read the most inspiring quotes from the doctor here.
“As parents and teachers, we need to bring up more of our children with generosity of spirit.” - 'Decent And Indecent: Our Personal And Political Behavior, 1970.
"What good mothers and fathers instinctively feel like doing for their babies is usually best after all."
"Don’t worry about trying to do a perfect job. There is no perfect job. There is no one way of raising your children."
“Don't take too seriously all that the neighbors say. Don't be overawed by what the experts say. Don't be afraid to trust your own common sense.” - 'Dr. Spock's Baby And Child Care', 1945.
"Your baby doesn’t need a pillow for her head, and you should not use one. Likewise, it’s best to keep stuffed animals out of your baby’s crib or cradle; little babies don’t care much about them, and they may pose suffocation."
"Happiness is mostly a by-product of doing what makes us feel fulfilled."
“The children who are appreciated for what they are, even if they are homely, or clumsy, or slow, will grow up with confidence in themselves and happy. They will have a spirit that will make the best of all the capacities that they do have and of all the opportunities that come their way.” - 'Dr.
Spock's Baby And Child Care', 1945.
"Physical punishment teaches children that the larger, stronger person has the power to get his way, whether or not he is in the right, and they may resent this in the parent- for life."
Most Interesting Dr. Spock Quotes
Dr. Spock was an interesting personality. He was a sportsperson and political activist, other than practicing medicine. Here's a list of the most interesting quotes by him.
“This solution has great superficial appeal--all the excitement of secret, forbidden, romantic sexuality without family responsibility and family grubbiness.” - 'Decent And Indecent: Our Personal And Political Behavior, 1970.
“I've come to the realization that a lot of our problems are because of a dearth of spiritual values.” - Associated Press Interview, 1992.
"When I was 88 years old, I gave up meat entirely and switched to a plant foods diet following a slight stroke. During the following months, I not only lost 50 pounds, but gained strength in my legs and picked up stamina."
"When women are encouraged to be competitive, too many of them become disagreeable."
“You know more than you think you do.” - 'Dr. Spock's Baby And Child Care', 1945.
"If a television is on, an infant will stare at it. This is not a sign of advanced development. TV entertains at a cost. Young children easily become dependent on the TV for stimulation and lose some of their natural drive to explore."
“Man can be the most affectionate and altruistic of creatures, yet he's potentially more vicious than any other.
He is the only one who can be persuaded to hate millions of his own kind whom he has never seen and to kill as many as he can lay his hands on in the name of his tribe or his God.” - 'Decent And Indecent: Our Personal And Political Behavior', 1970.
"Another subtle but worrisome effect television has on its viewers is its tendency to promote passivity and a lack of creativity. Watching television requires little mental activity on the viewer’s part."
"Can we make a better world for our children? I believe we can, if enough people are concerned and get involved in changing what is wrong with society."
"If I could make only one wish for a child, I'd wish him the quality of lovingness."
"In our country today, very few children are raised to believe that their principal destiny is to serve their family, their country, or God."
"Every child senses, with all the horse sense that’s in him, that any parent is angry inside when children misbehave and they dread more the anger that is rarely or never expressed openly, wondering how awful it might be."
Quotes About Dr. Spock
Such was his influence that many famous people have talked about Dr. Spock. Read a few of their quotes below.
“An entire generation grew up unacquainted with the thwack of paddle against bottom.” - 'American Heritage', Jonathan Yardley, 1985.
“Some physicians who have called him excessively permissive just didn't understand and gave his understanding approach to child-rearing a negative label. He was blamed for the radical behavior of the youth in the '60s.” - Dr. Marvin Drellich.
