Analysis of Foundations of Psychohistory by Llyod DeMause - Essay Example

The new era of studying the child, according to the psychogenic theory, is linked with the development of the parent-child relationships, the generational change, emerging needs of the ‘novel’ child, and the psychic organization of passing of generations (DeMause 3). The author brings out the concept of projective and reversal reactions that have been major determinants of the kind of family that is brought up. In a case where the parents use the child to display their inner feelings is a projective reaction, when the child substitutes the parent, a reversal reaction and an empathic reaction is where the parent identifies with the child’s needs and fights to satisfy them (DeMause 7).

It is important to note that projective and reversal reactions are good characteristics of the previous families, and were considered the best way to bring up a child. Children were forced to embrace the good traits from their parents, and at times to translate the good deeds of their parents to each other.  The author gives an example of an Elizabethan family during dinner where the older children were supposed to serve the parents whilst the parents waited to see their good traits translated in the children (DeMause 21).

 However, in the present day world, it is very shocking that a child would take up the role of their parents. The author attests to the fact that it sounds a little bit scary for a child to wipe her mother’s tears as the vice versa has long been considered the norm (DeMause 22). This means that times have changed, validating the fact that it is of the essence to study the child and the changes that surround their development and growth. Past child rearing was successful through labeling the children as adults and devils at the same time (DeMause 23).

  The use of this double image can be credited to the successful individuals that existed in the past and the moral values they uphold to date. The author gives an example of the circumcision rites that are governed by numerous reasons in various communities.