Family Romances by Sigmund Freud shows us the human connections we have with our family since birth. I totally agree that our parents are our first role models and we are constantly relating to them. Till this day I continue to turn to my mother and father for guidance. Although usually I have already made up my mind but I just want to be assured of my choices. At one point i had started to compare my parents to my aunts and uncle and I was jealous why my aunts and uncle have more money and is more educated. But eventually I realized if I was their child I would turn out spoiled and disrespectful.
I also have two older brothers that is about 10 years older than me and growing up they were also similar to a parent figure. Interestingly I remember very little of my childhood but i remember very vividly when they joked with me saying that I pick up from the streets. although i know they were joking but i made me upset at the thought that it could be true. The quote”‘pater semper incertus est’, while the mother is ‘certissitna’” is very relatable. Who hasn’t wondered is that really my dad. But we don’t ask our mom that because we know for sure that we came from her womb. In this piece you can see the development of a child as they try to find their individualism and I found this piece very relatable.
Sandy
I can relate to the part where you said that at one point during your life, you were comparing your parents to other family members. I did the same as a young child and I found myself always thinking that my aunt was “cooler” than my own mom, and that I wanted my mom to be more like my aunt. Freud makes us realize that these thoughts are all just a part of the psychological process we undergo as we mature and evolve.
It’s very interesting to know the stories in your childhood. The joke of saying we were picked up from the street is often used by Chinese parents. I’ve thought that it was true when my mom said to me. The reason why Chinese parents love to say so is they don’t want to spoil us and push us independent and go further.