Theories formulated by Sigmund Freud continue to be part of the mainstream in contemporary psychological development research. Special attention is given to his psychodynamic perspective on children’s development. His major premise is that children form their personality in the first years of life, while how parents and caregivers interact with children during further years has a long-lasting effect on emotional states (Traylor et al., 2022). In addition, Freud’s theory of personality, which operates with notions of id, ego, and superego, puts a high value on biologically based drives and early childhood education (EAC) (Miller, 2002). In this paradigm, EAC aims to shape the balance between these parts of the self because the prevalence of the id or superego may result in severe neurosis in the future.
Freudian discourse continually influenced the language of judging about the importance of EAC. It was a widespread belief that the harsh school background ruins the adult life of individuals. In another scenario, highly aggressive pupils who bullied others in childhood were considered intrinsically flawed and unable to become a full-fledged part of society. The great problem with Freud’s theories is that they cannot be tested scientifically, or empirical evidence gives controversial results (Traylor et al., 2022). Much research shows that people with overly bad childhood experiences develop into adults without any emotional disorders (Traylor et al., 2022). Thus, in general, many educational policymakers still argue about EAC’s crucial importance in developing the psychological self. However, judging from Freud’s theory, women who do not accept inferior positions may be judged flawed because they do not accept established social norms (Traylor et al., 2022). Thus, educators and parents should not sign “abnormally” behaving children as “failed” adults because such correlations are scientifically unproven.
References
Miller, P. H. (2002). Theories of developmental psychology. Macmillan.
Traylor, J., Overstreet, L., & Lang, D. (2022). Psychodynamic theory: Freud. In D. Lang (Ed.), Individual and family development, health, and well-being. Iowa State University Digital Press.