What would Freud say about this?

Question

Hypothetically, what would Freud say about a potty-trained child that at the age of 4 or 5 still will not wipe their own bum after pooping?

I'm interested in Freudian Psychology not your opinions on childhood development.

Thank you, but I'm looking for an informed answer on this one.

Answer 1

maybe he'd associate it with sexual gratification? it's a bit of a touchy technique! he mentioned how, at each stage of growing up, we all need sexual gratification (starting right from being breastfed), i suppose this would be an additional stage! at least, that's my guess.

bit of a pervert, wasn't he?

Answer 2

Freud wouldn't say much about this because he is dead. Children need to learn in their own way, and in their own time. She/he will figure it out eventually and all will be well. Freud would have come up with some stupid thing like,'you don't wipe your butt because your father/mother didn't when they were growing up. It is really a stupid thing to compare people that closely to one another. The child will learn.

Answer 3

It depends on the child and his or her circumstances.

Generally speaking, if the child is perfectly capable of wiping his own bum, Freud would probably have a talk with the parents... at age of 5, a child is still very dependent... wiping oneself is a learned experience. It's up to the parents to teach this habit.

The child does not have problem here; the parents do.

Answer 4

My 5 yr old brother has the same problem sometimes, so we (siblings and parents) remind him to wipe his butt every time we see him go to the bathroom and there is rarely a problem.

Answer 5

"Let's go to KFC. I hear it's finger lickin' good!"

Answer 6

He'd probably say - - -"Yuk"!

Answer 7

Smart kid.