ABSTRACT
Freud observed that guilt feelings arose at this time of life, and suggested that the child’s incestuous feelings, which persisted actively in his unconscious, might have something to do with them. Parents must beware of instilling guilt feelings which can only hamper the child’s development, and will have to be combated later on by teachers if the child is to grow up healthy. It is true that it is the child’s dependence on and strong love for his parents which leads him to the introjection of their attitudes. If it were possible for a baby to grow without experience of other human beings he would be without a conscience as without speech. Older children, as well as babies, require a high level of satisfaction and success if they are to be aware of the rights and needs of others. Ideally, it should be possible for a child to grow up without any irrational guilt feelings.
