I teach that the practice of children sleeping separately from parents is a
cultural phenomenon. The U.S. is an individualistic culture. We expect our
children to be independent from us, and we begin that training very early in
life by doing things such as putting them in a separate room to sleep.
I believe I read this in a text somewhere...maybe I should try to find it.
Steffen Wilson
Eastern Kentucky University
Jeff Ricker wrote:
> In my courses, I make a claim that I am not certain is accurate. As an
> example of how Freud has had a big influence on American culture (less
> so in other places), I point to the common belief in the US that parents
> should not let their children sleep with them. This is a practice that
> is very unusual (so I have heard) in many other parts of the world. I
> suggest to my students that Freud's theory of the Oedipus Complex was a
> major influence on this practice.
>
> Is this claim accurate? I'm sure that there must be other influences;
> but it seems to me that Freud's theory would have offered a "scientific"
> justification for this practice that would have been very influential.
> Does anyone know?
>
> Jeff
>
> --
> Jeffry P. Ricker, Ph.D. Office Phone: (480) 423-6213
> 9000 E. Chaparral Rd. FAX Number: (480) 423-6298
> Psychology Department [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Scottsdale Community College
> Scottsdale, AZ 85256-2626
>
> "The truth is rare and never simple."
> Oscar Wilde
>
> "No one can accept the fundamental hypotheses of scientific psychology
> and be in the least mystical."
> Knight Dunlap
