You do not currently have permission to view the full text for this document. Please sign in to an account with an active subscription or contact support.
Clinical material from the analysis of a child, and discussions with her mother, and the analysis of a second mother provided evidence of ego damage in both mothers which prevented them from sensing their children's needs, and in turn kept the children from developing adequate ego capacities with a sterilizing effect on their object relations and sublimations. The goal and function of the mothers' 'closeness' to their children was entirely narcissistic, namely to relieve depression when they were stimulated by their children's exciting experiences, sexuality, or outbursts. The children functioned to provide these experiences and to obtain a reciprocal share in the mothers' excitement. They were otherwise unaware of their own needs and wants.
The mother's unity with her child, complete before parturition, is disturbed by every developmental process which assists the child to independence. The child's incorporative processes are paramount in this respect in aiding development. There exists in the mother a need to maintain the biological condition of unity for a shorter or longer period, even though this need may be repressed, denied, or laden with aggression. During the first period of unity, the mother unconsciously senses the child's needs, drawing conclusions, sometimes mistakenly, from her own narcissistic self. Later physical gratification must be replaced in part by genuine interest, curiosity, and participation in the child's growth. Only thus is the mother helped to overcome the frustration of physical separateness, and to assume the role of provider for the child. A reciprocal process takes place in the child. When he feels 'provided for', he becomes able to tolerate his growing separateness and to form other attachments, on the basis of this understanding, initial relationship.
The roots of empathy may lead back to the primitive mother-child fusion, and disturbances of empathy may result, when mutual understanding does not in time replace the bodily-