The problem of lay-analyses · Sigmund Freud
V
Analyses of children yield various interesting results. Possibly, in future, they will grow in importance. As far as theoretical findings are concerned, there can be no doubt as to the value of these analyses. As children give unequivocal information on questions which only yield hazy results in the analyses of adults, the analyst is protected against mistakes which might have proved to be serious. Analyses of children have the added advantage, in that those moments are seized upon unaware, when a neurosis is in the process of development. There can be no mistake about such observations in children. To be sure, in the interest of the child, it is necessary to combine analytical influence with educational measures. This is a technique still to be perfected. There is practical interest attached to this problem, because observations prove that a great number of our children, during their period of development, pass through a clearly discernable neurotic phase. Ever since we perceived these things more keenly, we have been tempted to venture that neurotic conditions of children are not the exception, but rather the rule. It appears that in view of infantile tendencies to neuroses, such trend of developments cannot be avoided in the course of civilisatoric progress. In most cases, such neurotic taints are spontaneously thrown off during childhood. The question remains, however, whether traces of them are not frequently left, even in such individuals as are considered of average health.
On the other hand, there is no neurotic adult in whom infantile tendencies toward neuroses cannot be discerned, although originally they may not necessarily have been so very obvious. Analogous to this, specialists for internal diseases claim, I believe, that every individual during the time of his childhood passes through a tubercular condition. Let me return to your question of proofs. From direct analytical observation of children, we concluded that in general the information which adults had given us, in reference to their childhood, had been correctly interpreted by us. In some cases, it was even possible to obtain confirmation of a different kind. For example:—From material unearthed by the analysis, it was possible to reconstruct certain occurrences and impressive events of childhood, of which the conscious memory of the patient was no longer aware. Fortunate accidents or information supplied by parents and educators yielded unquestionable proof that the analyst had correctly reconstructed these impressions and experiences of childhood. Such proof, of course, could not be obtained very frequently, but whenever it was obtained, it created an overpowering impression. You must know that the correct reconstruction of such forgotten experiences of childhood always results in a tremendous therapeutic effect, no matter whether such reconstructions may be objectively confirmed or not. The importance attached to these events is naturally derived from the fact that these experiences occurred in early childhood, when they could still affect the feeble “I” traumatically.
“What may those events be which analysis must unearth for therapeutic purposes?” Events of various nature. In the first place, impressions strong enough to permanently influence the awakening sex life of the child, such as observation of sexual intercourse between adults or personal sexual experiences with an adult or some other child—occurrences not at all rare. Then, overhearing the conversation of adults, at a time when the child did not fully comprehend the significance, but which, when the child came to grasp the real meaning, conveyed to him knowledge to be coveted because of the air of secrecy and mystery attached to it. Furthermore, utterances and actions of the child himself, demonstrating a decidedly tender or else hateful inclination toward other persons. It is of special importance, in the course of the analysis, to revive cases of forgotten personal sexual indulgence, and the interference of adults which served to terminate these habits. “It seems to be my turn, now, to ask a question which I have had on my mind for a long time. What do you call ‘sexual indulgence’ of a child, during his period of early sexuality which, as you say, is a time that was completely overlooked before the advent of psychoanalysis?” Of course that which is usual and essential in this indulgence had not been overlooked. This is not so remarkable, because it simply couldn’t be overlooked. Sexual tendencies of the child find their expression mainly in masturbation. That this childish “naughtiness” is extraordinarily common was always known to adults. It is considered a grave sin, to be energetically suppressed.
But please do not ask me how such “immoral” tendencies in children—and children admit that they indulge in them because they give them pleasure!—can co-exist with that inborn purity and non-sensuality of which we love to prate. You had better ask our opponents to solve this puzzle for you. A much more important problem is facing us now:—What is the position to take towards sexual indulgence in early childhood? There is not the slightest doubt as to the responsibility incurred by suppressing such actions and, on the other hand, one dare not permit it to go on, limitless. It appears that sexuality of children is unrestricted among peoples of low civilization and in the lower strata of civilized people. Such tolerance may amount to a strong protection against the possibility of neuroses cropping up in later years, but the question is whether there does not then remain a concurrent, extraordinary loss in regard to an individual’s aptness for cultural achievements. It seems we are facing a case of Scylla and Charybdis there. However, I shall leave it to you to decide whether such interest, as the study of sex life may have for neurotics, would tend to create an atmosphere, favorable for the awakening of libidinous desires.
Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain in the United States.