Maternal Overprotection and Casework Treatment: A Study of Two Overprotective Mothers Who Received Treatment at New York Psychiatric Institute From October 1961 to April 1952
Abstract
The overprotective mother is an unhappy one, and is frequently seen in child guidance clinics throughout the country. Her behavior has a history and is produced by all the factors which have entered into her environment and must be understood by those who professionally offer her help. The crushing of a child's curiosity, his desire for expression, his experimentation and his sense of independence, by an overprotective mother can be frequently observed. Mothers have many ways of dominating their children; one is by overprotection. If they choose this method of expression they place obstacles in the child's path toward maturity. As a result, the child becomes the adult tied with knots of hostility and dependency to a mother who would not allow him to sever the emotional umbilical cord. Mothers who reject their children may manifest this through an overprotective attitude. This may seem to be a contradiction, but in reality these mothers attempt to conceal their rejection and their consequent guilt by assuming an overprotective attitude which is a form of overcompensation. The child of this kind of mother is restricted in every area by seemingly maternal solicitude. The overprotected child is psychologically "killed with love."
Subject Area
Social work|Social research|Social studies education
Recommended Citation
Corrigan, Katharine C, "Maternal Overprotection and Casework Treatment: A Study of Two Overprotective Mothers Who Received Treatment at New York Psychiatric Institute From October 1961 to April 1952" (1962). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI30725034.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI30725034
