The Importance of Fathers: A Psychoanalytic Re-evaluation

Description

It is widely acknowledged that children need structure, security, stability and attachment to develop and flourish, and that the father is an important part of this. Issues such as high divorce rates, new family structures, increased mobility, women's liberation and contraception are very common in society. This book sets out to explore what has happened to men and to fathers during all these changes and transitions. Judith Trowell and Alicia Etchegoyen, along with other contributors, consider the importance of fathers in various situations, including: the role of the father at different stage of children's development; the missing father; loss of a father; grandfathers. It is argued that the father is important not only to support the main carer (usually the mother), but also to provide a caring, thinking, comfortable, confident presence.

Judith Trowell is a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist at the Tavistock Clinic, London. Alicia Etchegoyen is a Psychoanalyst and Child Analyst at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.

'The collection of papers edited by Trowell and Etchegoyen is a timely reminder of the value and importance of fathers, after psychoanalysis' long preoccupation with mothers and mothering, and is most welcome.' - Ministry Today