Forms of the Family Romance1

Among the numerous devices the organism employs to maintain comfort and contentment, there is none used more readily, or more frequently, than fantasy. With it a person plays, learns, and enriches his mental content; with it too he pacifies, appeases, consoles, and reconciles himself to disappointments. Fantasy offers a vast potential because it can occur consciously or unconsciously. It can occur consciously, later becoming unconscious; or it may originate unconsciously (6), becoming conscious later; or it may be transformed into behavior that can be troublesome and enigmatic when lived out.

Fantasy begins early in life and will fashion itself depending upon the individual's understanding and grasp. Much of it in early years is given to self-fulfillment of needs gone wanting, a characteristic at the time being over-evaluation, because actuality is not as important as the relationship with those persons upon whom the child must rely for security, approval, and love. Hence, the parents are great and powerful persons, adored, admired, and from whom all blessings and benefits are derived. The child is sensitive and easily wounded in these tender years; thus a trifle slight is a big slight, from which repercussions may ensue that are quite disturbing. Any taunt or punishment serves readily as a nucleus around which fantasies form. Along with this the child may be endeavoring to clarify a most significant problem. What is he or she? In what category does he belong sexually? His orientation on this score may begin with bewilderment and confusion, or specificity and self-assurance, to travel with him through life. It would appear in the early years of 2-3 and 4, fantasies would evolve, upon which others, later to come, can be superimposed or blended.

The later outcropping comes in a period of growth often most trying and disturbing, yet it is a determining phase, especially if adequate assurance, understanding and guidance are not forthcoming from the parents. Such is the se