freud vs attachment theory

Discussion today regarding Freud's three essays reminded me of many common terms and ideas represented in psychology. However, I was most interested with learning about Freud's idea of the sexual object during infancy. He described that the intensity of the mothers love and affection influenced the sexual ability of the child. I wanted to relate this to the idea of attachment theory which has become a very important concept in psychology. According to John Bowlby, the early relationship between an infant and caregiver determines the quality of social relationships later in life. Mary Ainsworth, a student of Bowlby observed that caregivers (mothers) who were sensitive, affectionate and responsive and who create in their babies a basic trust of the world, typically have securely attached infants. Children with a secure attachment base usually develop into psychologically healthy children who are capable of creating and maintaining long lasting, successful relationships. Ainsworth and Bowlby discovered that there are two types of attachment; secure or insecure. Those who have insecure attachment usually had/have parents who are aloof, distant, and prefer to avoid intimacy with their children. I found this to be an interesting relation to what Freud was talking about in his book. Although it is not exactly the same idea i do think that the two can be related. Attachment style helps to predict the romantic success of two partners much like how the mothers intensity toward her child can lead to a sexually successful child or unsuccessful child.