As we were saying on the second Post, Ego refers concepts, ideas, opinions and taste, i.e, the baggage that holds our self-perception. It operates through anguish contention, which enables socialization by keeping psychic integrity. It works, therefore, as our “health mental part”. If we think about the “moral script” (psychological ground) of individuals on “superego time”[1] [2](Freud’s time) we find out strength, discipline and more repressing behaviors regarding limits, hierarchies and reverence towards older idols (wisdom). In fact, for Freud, to love and to work would make life meaningful. Thus, the purpose of life should be found in making a family and having a job. In that context, made perfectly sense to think of a decompression psychotherapy (that would relax rigid Egos eager for expansion). This psychotherapy was Psychoanalysis. However, if we think of Millennials context, does it still make sense? At this point boomers psychological social ground is gone. Millennials psychological ground is utterly different: there are less taboos related to sexuality, less limits, less repression and more indulgence from parents. Attention: Superego as Symbolic Instance continues to exist. Sexual repression and self-restraint as identity models have become outdated. Instead, Millennials have a little to expand or decompress. They lack contour. More precisely, they lack internal emotional continence. In PA we grasp this new picture as one for a contour psychotherapy. Repression is not the “first thing” in Millennials’ personalities. They have difficulties with obligations, commitment and discipline. Hence, if the purpose of life is not “given” anymore, on the one hand ,family and social expectation of personal motivations are highly expected, on the other. It turns into a new social psychological ground. And it matters because it also turns into a psychological issue (destabilizing one). We are talking about people who grow up taking sexual and existential freedom for granted. They feel free to inquire and contest but have difficulties with feeling responsible for their life direction.
[1] Superego is a concept created by Freud to explain the moral civilization boundaries that are taken for granted. He refers to fathers’ role as a symbolic function in giving limits to exclusive attention babies use to demand from mothers. It is as a mark of first experiences of frustration, which are crucial for the babies healthy sociability later on. In a second phase Freud changes his view and focus attention on death Instinct. From that time on, Superego semantically slips to act as an autonomous, guilty and, eventually, sadistic energy towards Ego. According to La Planche, Superego acts “(…) like a judge or censor regarding Ego. Freud sees moral consciousness , self-observation and building of ideals as Superego functions”( free translation) la Planche and Pontalis. 2001. Psychoanalysis Vocabulary. Martin Fontes: 497-300. [2] See also VII Block. Episode 2.Adolescence in Digital Era. Part 1 in: Talking about Psychology with Cecilia Leite in YouTube
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