Assault Quote by Selma Fraiberg
“Whenever reality reinforces a child's fantasied dangers, the child will have more difficulty in overcoming them...So, while parents may not regard a spanking as a physical attack or an assault on a child's body, the child may regard it as such, and experience it as a confirmation of his fears that grown-ups under certain circumstances can really hurt you.”
About This Quote
Source Article: Child Development Perspectives, Selma Fraiberg, 1978
When a child's fears are confirmed by adult actions, those fears become harder to overcome, reinforcing trauma.
In simple terms: Spanking can validate a child's fear of harm.
Key Takeaway
Avoid actions that reinforce a child's fear of danger.
Themes
parenting
fear
trauma
child development
discipline
Mood
concerned
empathetic
educational
Type
advisory
psychological
When to use this quote
- parenting workshops
- child counseling
- school discipline policies
Key Concepts
Attachment theory
fear conditioning
parental influence
Questions to Reflect On
- What alternatives to physical discipline reduce fear?
- How can parents recognize and correct fear‑reinforcing behaviors?
A Different Perspective
Parents may unintentionally reinforce fear, making it difficult to break the cycle.
