ABSTRACT
The ‘teenage’ period is recognized by Charles Fourier as a time of difficulty and disturbance for the growing child. Fourier’s basic argument is that it is possible to develop moral qualities by social service to the community—channelling aggressive instincts and fondness for adornment to useful purposes. Fourier believes that it is possible to organize a system which while allowing the adolescent full and unrestricted expression for his natural impulses also enables the adolescent to devote himself to the true interests of the community. Fourier suggests the founding of two independent children’s societies, ‘Les Petites Hordes’ and ‘Les Petites Bandes’. Fourier is aware that repugnant work is unpleasant, uninteresting, repetitive, hardly likely to appeal to the imagination, or to be rewarding in itself. Fourier gives details of the differences and compares them with those used by the Cossacks. Fourier argued that the repression of the adolescent’s willingness and enthusiasm can but lead to a feeling of rejection, separateness and futility.
