ABSTRACT
The ego of the adult neurotic fears the instincts because it fears the superego. Its defense is motivated by superego anxiety. If neurosis is produced by the severity of the superego, then those who bring up children have only to avoid everything which may contribute to the formation of a superego of excessive strictness. The child’s aggressiveness must have an outlet in the outside world, so that it does not become dammed up and turned inward, for, if it does, it will endow the superego with cruel characteristics. The ego of a little child, like that of an adult, does not combat the instincts of its own accord; its defense is not prompted by its feelings in the matter. It regards the instincts as dangerous because those who bring the child up have forbidden their gratification and an irruption of instinct entails restrictions and the infliction or threat of punishment.
