Article
The Development of a Child
Eine Kinderentwicklung
Melanie Klein's first published paper, which appeared in Imago in 1921. She had presented part of it to the Hungarian Psycho-Analytical Society in 1919. The paper follows a young boy, called "Fritz", as he is given a frank and careful sexual enlightenment. Klein records his questions and anxieties, and the inhibitions that eased once his curiosity was answered. These observations led her toward the psychoanalysis of children. An English version, "The Development of a Child", came out in the International Journal of Psycho-Analysis in 1923.
Main ideas
- A child's sexual curiosity, when it is answered frankly rather than suppressed, can loosen inhibitions in his development.
- Close observation of one boy's questions and anxieties during his sexual enlightenment serves as the paper's material.
- This work marked Klein's first step toward the psychoanalysis of children.