Animal Quote by Selma Fraiberg
“The child begins life as a pleasure-seeking animal; his infantile personality is organized around his own appetites and his own body. In the course of his rearing the goal of exclusive pleasure seeking must be modified drastically, the fundamental urges must be subject to the dictates of conscience and society, urges must be capable of postponement and in some instances of renunciation completely.”
About This Quote
Source Book: "The Emotional Development of the Child" by Selma Fraiberg, 1976
Children start life driven by self‑centered pleasure; socialization reshapes urges toward conscience and delayed gratification.
In simple terms: Kids start self‑focused, later learn self‑control.
Key Takeaway
Guide children toward empathy and self‑discipline.
Themes
development
pleasure
conscience
Mood
empathetic
educational
Type
psychological
instructive
When to use this quote
- parenting
- education
- therapy
- community programs
Key Concepts
psychology
socialization
moral development
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we nurture delayed gratification?
- What role does conscience play in growth?
A Different Perspective
Balancing innate drives with societal expectations is complex.
