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The Sexual Enlightenment of Children
"The new-born infant brings sexuality with it into the world."
One of the many idea with which Freud startles the world was that even very young children are aware of sexual impulses and occupied with sexual problems. Furthermore, he said, neuroses in adults stem from the sexual fears and frustrations experienced at an early age. The essays collected here show how Freud developed that theory by exploring the mental life of children, their sexual fantasies and phobias. A famous and frequently amusing case history, that of "Little Hans," reveals how Freud cured a small boy of his fear that a horse—a symbol for his father—would castrate him. Other papers describe the sexual awareness of children, the fantasies they make up to account for their birth, their erotic daydreams about their parents, and the love-motives behind the lies they tell. In all these writings Freud is witty, incisive, and refreshingly frank as he explains the dangers of ignoring or abusing a child's sexual curiosity.
One of the many idea with which Freud startles the world was that even very young children are aware of sexual impulses and occupied with sexual problems. Furthermore, he said, neuroses in adults stem from the sexual fears and frustrations experienced at an early age. The essays collected here show how Freud developed that theory by exploring the mental life of children, their sexual fantasies and phobias. A famous and frequently amusing case history, that of "Little Hans," reveals how Freud cured a small boy of his fear that a horse—a symbol for his father—would castrate him. Other papers describe the sexual awareness of children, the fantasies they make up to account for their birth, their erotic daydreams about their parents, and the love-motives behind the lies they tell. In all these writings Freud is witty, incisive, and refreshingly frank as he explains the dangers of ignoring or abusing a child's sexual curiosity.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1963
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About the author
Sigmund Freud
4,436 books8,512 followersDr. Sigismund Freud (later changed to Sigmund) was a neurologist and the founder of psychoanalysis, who created an entirely new approach to the understanding of the human personality. He is regarded as one of the most influential—and controversial—minds of the 20th century.
In 1873, Freud began to study medicine at the University of Vienna. After graduating, he worked at the Vienna General Hospital. He collaborated with Josef Breuer in treating hysteria by the recall of painful experiences under hypnosis. In 1885, Freud went to Paris as a student of the neurologist Jean Charcot. On his return to Vienna the following year, Freud set up in private practice, specialising in nervous and brain disorders. The same year he married Martha Bernays, with whom he had six children.
Freud developed the theory that humans have an unconscious in which sexual and aggressive impulses are in perpetual conflict for supremacy with the defences against them. In 1897, he began an intensive analysis of himself. In 1900, his major work 'The Interpretation of Dreams' was published in which Freud analysed dreams in terms of unconscious desires and experiences.
In 1902, Freud was appointed Professor of Neuropathology at the University of Vienna, a post he held until 1938. Although the medical establishment disagreed with many of his theories, a group of pupils and followers began to gather around Freud. In 1910, the International Psychoanalytic Association was founded with Carl Jung, a close associate of Freud's, as the president. Jung later broke with Freud and developed his own theories.
After World War One, Freud spent less time in clinical observation and concentrated on the application of his theories to history, art, literature and anthropology. In 1923, he published 'The Ego and the Id', which suggested a new structural model of the mind, divided into the 'id, the 'ego' and the 'superego'.
In 1933, the Nazis publicly burnt a number of Freud's books. In 1938, shortly after the Nazis annexed Austria, Freud left Vienna for London with his wife and daughter Anna.
Freud had been diagnosed with cancer of the jaw in 1923, and underwent more than 30 operations. He died of cancer on 23 September 1939.
In 1873, Freud began to study medicine at the University of Vienna. After graduating, he worked at the Vienna General Hospital. He collaborated with Josef Breuer in treating hysteria by the recall of painful experiences under hypnosis. In 1885, Freud went to Paris as a student of the neurologist Jean Charcot. On his return to Vienna the following year, Freud set up in private practice, specialising in nervous and brain disorders. The same year he married Martha Bernays, with whom he had six children.
Freud developed the theory that humans have an unconscious in which sexual and aggressive impulses are in perpetual conflict for supremacy with the defences against them. In 1897, he began an intensive analysis of himself. In 1900, his major work 'The Interpretation of Dreams' was published in which Freud analysed dreams in terms of unconscious desires and experiences.
In 1902, Freud was appointed Professor of Neuropathology at the University of Vienna, a post he held until 1938. Although the medical establishment disagreed with many of his theories, a group of pupils and followers began to gather around Freud. In 1910, the International Psychoanalytic Association was founded with Carl Jung, a close associate of Freud's, as the president. Jung later broke with Freud and developed his own theories.
After World War One, Freud spent less time in clinical observation and concentrated on the application of his theories to history, art, literature and anthropology. In 1923, he published 'The Ego and the Id', which suggested a new structural model of the mind, divided into the 'id, the 'ego' and the 'superego'.
In 1933, the Nazis publicly burnt a number of Freud's books. In 1938, shortly after the Nazis annexed Austria, Freud left Vienna for London with his wife and daughter Anna.
Freud had been diagnosed with cancer of the jaw in 1923, and underwent more than 30 operations. He died of cancer on 23 September 1939.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 8, 2024
وقتی داشتم میخوندمش به سیر تکاملی بشر در آموزش فک می کردم
و به جامعه ی خودمون به اینکه وقتی تو درس زیست یا علوم یه قسمت می رسید به تولید مثل چه غوغایی تو کلاس بین بچه ها میشد!! شاید اگه توی خانواده ها انقد این مسئله رو بزرگ نمی کردن همه چیز فرق میکرد
و به جامعه ی خودمون به اینکه وقتی تو درس زیست یا علوم یه قسمت می رسید به تولید مثل چه غوغایی تو کلاس بین بچه ها میشد!! شاید اگه توی خانواده ها انقد این مسئله رو بزرگ نمی کردن همه چیز فرق میکرد
May 24, 2012
Collects several of Freud's works, including the case study popularly known as "Little Hans," dealing with issues of sexuality among very young children. This is not, however, a study of pedophilia nor of "perversion" in the colloquial sense: the "enlightenment" of the title refers not to corruption or co-optation, but rather to the process of giving children more of the factual knowledge which they seem so desperately to seek despite adult discomfort with the topic. That is to say, replacing the stories of the stork or the cabbage patch with some degree of truth about human reproduction.
At the time of its writing, it was apparently common for parents erroneously to believe their older children were oblivious to the physiological changes in their own mothers immediately prior to the appearance of a new sibling. The dissonance resulting from the conflict between their own experiential evidence and the "information" provided by the trusted authority of the parents, Freud suggests, may lead to neuroses sooner or later, and explain much otherwise inexplicable childhood behavior. All of Freud's analysis is, of course, rooted in his own libido theory of instincts and the psychoanalytic id/ego construction of consciousness, and all of his analytic experience is with Victorian Europeans; thus, some of the conclusions can seem of limited applicability today, and may yet be a good reminder of the potential repercussions of outright lying to one's offspring rather than simply limiting their access to information to that which they are capable of comprehending.
At the time of its writing, it was apparently common for parents erroneously to believe their older children were oblivious to the physiological changes in their own mothers immediately prior to the appearance of a new sibling. The dissonance resulting from the conflict between their own experiential evidence and the "information" provided by the trusted authority of the parents, Freud suggests, may lead to neuroses sooner or later, and explain much otherwise inexplicable childhood behavior. All of Freud's analysis is, of course, rooted in his own libido theory of instincts and the psychoanalytic id/ego construction of consciousness, and all of his analytic experience is with Victorian Europeans; thus, some of the conclusions can seem of limited applicability today, and may yet be a good reminder of the potential repercussions of outright lying to one's offspring rather than simply limiting their access to information to that which they are capable of comprehending.
August 17, 2021
While I didn't share his desire towards full secularisation in the education of children, Freud does make a point I happen mostly to agree with in the thoughtful and honest discussion of sex with children, in order to prevent them forming ill-conceived ideas about it, which often leads to all manner of dangers and perversions later in life.
I should say, however, that I did not read this entire book as it appears on Goodreads. Rather I read the titular article, within a much larger collection of Freud's writings.
I should say, however, that I did not read this entire book as it appears on Goodreads. Rather I read the titular article, within a much larger collection of Freud's writings.
July 5, 2023
While I don't agree with Freud's ideas of repression, id/ego/superego interactions, and the final relation of everything to sex, he does offer a great deal of insight in this work. I also don't at all think it would be helpful to mandate state-led educational introduction of everything sexual to children, but Freud's arguments detailing the results of inadequate communication about sex are compelling and enlightening.
February 7, 2017
Sigmund Freud's analysis of the human condition and why children may like to experiment with certain things with regards to sexuality is a sensational work in literature. It is one of the most groundbreaking books that looks at the role of the parents and teachers in educating the children/students on such matters.
November 4, 2019
I'm giving a point for his belief that children should be given accurate information about where babies come from. I also know this was written before there were stringent research methods in place; Freud's biases would be astonishing now but weren't unusual for his time. I think he gave us some great stuff (defense mechanisms are still on point), but almost none of it is in this book.
November 7, 2023
i hope little hans had a really good life
May 24, 2021
This poor kid was just scared of horses bro.
On a serious note, it felt like Freud and the father of the child had an outcome that they were looking for and their examination of the child was biased because of that. They asked leading questions and even answered some of the questions for the little boy. Although I think it was interesting to see this little boy become more curious about his body and his sexuality, I don't see the connection to him being in love with his mother or hating his father.
Beyond not buying the results, it was concerning that this little boy was not taught consent throughout this experiment. I understand not wanting to instill shame upon his curiosity to let his mind wander to its full potential, but when a child tells you he wants his little sister or the girls next door to touch his penis, you should tell him that it is inappropriate to make them.
Additionally there were the obvious homophobic and sexist remarks that I was expecting from Freud that made me cringe while reading.
All this being said, it was interesting for me to explore Freud's work critically.
On a serious note, it felt like Freud and the father of the child had an outcome that they were looking for and their examination of the child was biased because of that. They asked leading questions and even answered some of the questions for the little boy. Although I think it was interesting to see this little boy become more curious about his body and his sexuality, I don't see the connection to him being in love with his mother or hating his father.
Beyond not buying the results, it was concerning that this little boy was not taught consent throughout this experiment. I understand not wanting to instill shame upon his curiosity to let his mind wander to its full potential, but when a child tells you he wants his little sister or the girls next door to touch his penis, you should tell him that it is inappropriate to make them.
Additionally there were the obvious homophobic and sexist remarks that I was expecting from Freud that made me cringe while reading.
All this being said, it was interesting for me to explore Freud's work critically.
February 9, 2025
i wanted to read a sigmund book so i bought three this is the first of them that i finished. i really just wanted to know why sigmund was in love with his mother but he didn’t get into that only how hans the >5 yr old was scared of horses bc their schlong was bigger than his tf. “his fear turned into an obsession.. “i have to look at horses, then i am frightened.” this is so real horses are frightening. anywho could’ve been better hans is a freak and so is freud.
July 3, 2024
Yes, of course, parents should answer questions scientifically but age-appropriately. Odd, today, that this idea was once rather ground-breaking. Interesting, surely, plus I liked the horsey drawings!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews