Primal fatherhood and primal rage

Am J Psychoanal. 2007 Jun;67(2):150-61. doi: 10.1057/palgrave.ajp.3350019.

Abstract

Fatherhood may unconsciously activate repudiated identifications with patriarchal primal fathers in men with progressive social values. These men may consciously cultivate an image of themselves as rebellious nonconformists. These men may wish to raise children who are fiercely independent just like them. Yet when these rambunctious children challenge paternal authority, these men may become enraged because their unconscious identification with the primal father has been threatened. These men may be referred to treatment for problems of anger management. They tend to unconsciously re-create and enact their conflicted and enraging relationship with the primal father in their relationship with the therapist.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Authoritarianism
  • Child
  • Child Abuse / psychology
  • Child, Preschool
  • Conflict, Psychological
  • Father-Child Relations
  • Fathers / psychology*
  • Gender Identity
  • Humans
  • Identification, Psychological*
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Parenting / psychology
  • Paternal Behavior*
  • Psychoanalytic Theory*
  • Psychoanalytic Therapy
  • Rage
  • Social Conformity
  • Social Responsibility
  • Socialization
  • Spouse Abuse / psychology
  • Transference, Psychology
  • Unconscious, Psychology*