ABSTRACT
Arlene may have been upper middle class in her lifestyle and suburban setting, but her roots were more solidly working class and the manners and behaviors that are characteristic of the upper levels of society had been assumed in consequence of her husband’s šnancial success and their ultimate location in a pricey suburban area. Her judgment and personality structure, however, were a function of personal history and probable biological foundations rather than re¯ecting either her class origins or attainments. As the case progressed, and her rage grew more and more focused, and as she continued to experience setbacks in the various attempts made to convince the guardian, the evaluator, and the court that her children were either abused or would be by her soon-to-be ex-spouse, her ability to exert control over her own behavior deteriorated. ere was documented physical abuse of one child, resulting in supervised visitation with both. While under observation, she proceeded to behave seductively in a visit with the younger male child and had to be redirected. Subsequently, other out-of-boundary behaviors emerged, including a reported attempt to run over an individual whom she viewed as an enemy.
