Posted by Elizabeth on March 31, 2001 at 03:08:51:
In Reply to: Re: Type 4, the Oral Character posted by Tiggy on March 30, 2001 at 07:11:37:
> [I think I've heard much of this before and it all rings true with my own particular experience.]
>
> Basically, the oral character (type 4) has issues centered around meeting his/her basic nurturance needs.
> [[When I'm going somewhere to stay, I worry that I might be cold or not get enough to eat or be lonely. As a baby, I was constantly moved around different foster parents and homes and at some places not very well looked after.]
>
> The oral child feels abandoned before they are satisfied. (To illustrate literally: removed from the breast before they are finished suckling). As a result, they crave the warm, protection, and nurturance of the mother's body but feel that it is unattainable or that it will always be denied them.
> [Well because each mother had 'abandoned me' so to speak, or rather I'd been moved on, I think by the time I got to my current parents I was disillusioned and not prepared to bond. I was always angry, though this I experienced more as depression.]
> To complicate things, this forms before self/other differentiation so the 'mother' is part of themselves. In 'her' absence, they feel a part of themselves is lost. (Hence the type 4, in searching for their 'true' self, is in fact searching for the missing mother--> interesting that 4s deteriorate to type 2?)
> [I've not really interpreted it as looking for my true self. More as looking for love I guess and to be wanted, not rejected.]
> > External punishment matters much less to a 4, because their relationship with the other is still internal (which is perhaps what introversion is?). Their reactions to a punishment situation would be interpretted through their relationship to the internal mother (which becomes their idealized self? I think.).
> [That makes sense. I have tended to have high ideals and a sense of right, especially when being punished.]
> > I continue to work on this and eventually plan to post a development look at all types.
> [Thanks - any more forthcoming insights appreciated.]