When explaining who an attachment figure is, I ask two questions. First, does this person think I am special, and do I think they are special, compared to other people in the world? Second, do I trust this person would be there for me if I needed them, and do I trust I would make the effort to be there for them, if they needed me? If a relationship fulfills those two questions, regardless of what the social role of the person is, then likely one’s attachment needs are being met. This could be a neighbor, a sibling, a secretary, a pet, or a partner. What society calls them is much less
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