Besides Family: Extending the Orbit of Psychic Development

The book "Besides Family" explores the impact of a wide network of key figures on an individual's psychic development and functioning, including nannies, neighbors, childhood playmates, school teachers, clergy, adolescent peers, lovers, and mentors. The authors integrate material from various disciplines to bring theory to life and offer insights for practising clinicians and trainees.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 230 pages
Publication date: 22 June 2023
Publisher: Phoenix Publishing House

Collectively authored by psychoanalytic colleagues of multiple nationalities, ages, genders, religious origins, and meta-theoretical persuasions, Beyond Family goes far beyond the usual orbit of parents and siblings. Casting a wide net, the contributors look at a number of key figures who may affect an individual's psychic development and functioning. Each character receives a full chapter that highlights both the beneficial and adverse possibilities within these relationships.

The book opens with a chapter on nannies, tracing the centuries-old history in the West and focusing on four renowned psychoanalysts: Sigmund Freud, Sándor Ferenczi, John Bowlby, and Wilfred Bion. Next comes a discussion of neighbors, using material from religious texts, fiction, and poetry. This is followed by a chapter on childhood playmates and friends, which examines the nature of friendship and how it develops across the lifespan. School teachers come next, using literature on teacher–student relationships synthesised with psychoanalytic developmental theory. Clergy is the next subject of discussion, blending Judeo-Christian religious customs with psychoanalytic developmental theory. The developmental significance of adolescent peers is examined next using a blend of neurophysiology, endocrine studies, behavioral observations, social–cultural vectors, and psychoanalytic insights. A discussion of lovers and the myriad ways in which romantic relationships mirror early development is the penultimate chapter. The book ends on the role of mentors and the evolution of the mentor–mentee relationship, taking into account the impact of age, race, and gender.

The contributors to Beyond Family come from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. Salman Akhtar, a renowned psychoanalyst from India, contributes his insights on the role of family and culture in shaping psychic development. Patricia Boguski, a psychoanalyst from the United States, explores the impact of childhood experiences on adult relationships. Ann Eichen, a psychoanalyst from Germany, examines the dynamics of sibling relationships and their role in shaping an individual's identity. April Fallon, a psychoanalyst from the United States, explores the complexities of parent–child relationships and their impact on adult relationships. Theodore Fallon, Jr., a psychoanalyst from the United States, discusses the role of mentors and their influence on professional development. Rama Rao Gogineni, a psychoanalyst from India, explores the impact of religious beliefs on psychic development. Mark Moore, a psychoanalyst from the United States, examines the role of gender in shaping adult relationships. Sonja Ware, a psychoanalyst from the United States, explores the impact of race and ethnicity on psychic development.

The book is divided into nine chapters, each focusing on a different aspect of the family and its impact on psychic development. The first chapter, "Nannies," explores the centuries-old history of nannies in the West and highlights the contributions of four renowned psychoanalysts: Sigmund Freud, Sándor Ferenczi, John Bowlby, and Wilfred Bion. Freud, known for his work on the unconscious mind, argued that nannies play a crucial role in shaping an individual's early development by providing a nurturing and supportive environment. Ferenczi, on the other hand, believed that nannies can be a source of conflict and tension in the family, as they may compete with the parents for the child's affection and attention. Bowlby, known for his work on attachment theory, argued that nannies can play a crucial role in promoting attachment and bonding between the child and the parent. Bion, known for his work on group analysis, argued that nannies can be a source of support and guidance for the family, as they can provide a sense of continuity and stability in the child's life.

The second chapter, "Neighbors," examines the role of neighbors in shaping psychic development. The contributors use material from religious texts, fiction, and poetry to explore the complex relationships between neighbors and their impact on an individual's psychic development. The chapter highlights the importance of maintaining good relationships with neighbors, as they can provide a sense of community and support. The chapter also explores the potential for conflict and tension between neighbors, as well as the ways in which these conflicts can be resolved.

The third chapter, "Childhood Playmates and Friends," explores the nature of friendship and how it develops across the lifespan. The contributors use a blend of neurophysiology, endocrine studies, behavioral observations, social–cultural vectors, and psychoanalytic insights to examine the role of childhood development in shaping adult relationships. The chapter highlights the importance of maintaining healthy relationships with childhood playmates and friends, as they can provide a sense of continuity and stability in an individual's life. The chapter also explores the potential for conflict and tension between childhood playmates and friends, as well as the ways in which these conflicts can be resolved.

The fourth chapter, "School Teachers," examines the role of school teachers in shaping psychic development. The contributors use literature on teacher.
The fifth chapter, "Clergy," blends Judeo-Christian religious customs with psychoanalytic developmental theory to explore the role of clergy in shaping psychic development. The contributors use a blend of neurophysiology, endocrine studies, behavioral observations, social–cultural vectors, and psychoanalytic insights to examine the role of clergy in shaping psychic development. The chapter highlights the importance of maintaining healthy relationships with clergy, as they can provide a sense of continuity and stability in an individual's life. The chapter also explores the potential for conflict and tension between clergy and parishioners, as well as the ways in which these conflicts can be resolved.

The sixth chapter, "Adolescent Peers," examines the developmental significance of adolescent peers in shaping psychic development. The contributors use a blend of neurophysiology, endocrine studies, behavioral observations, social–cultural vectors, and psychoanalytic insights to examine the role of adolescent peers in shaping psychic development. The chapter highlights the importance of maintaining healthy relationships with adolescent peers, as they can provide a sense of continuity and stability in an individual's life. The chapter also explores the potential for conflict and tension between adolescent peers, as well as the ways in which these conflicts can be resolved.

The seventh chapter, "Lovers," explores the myriad ways in which romantic relationships mirror early development. The contributors use a blend of neurophysiology, endocrine studies, behavioral observations, social–cultural vectors, and psychoanalytic insights to examine the role of romantic relationships in shaping psychic development. The chapter highlights the importance of maintaining healthy relationships with lovers, as they can provide a sense of continuity and stability in an individual's life. The chapter also explores the potential for conflict and tension between lovers, as well as the ways in which these conflicts can be resolved.

The eighth chapter, "Mentors," examines the role of mentors and the evolution of the mentor–mentee relationship. The contributors use a blend of neurophysiology, endocrine studies, behavioral observations, social–cultural vectors, and psychoanalytic insights to examine the role of mentors and the evolution of the mentor–mentee relationship. The chapter highlights the importance of maintaining healthy relationships with mentors, as they can provide a sense of continuity and stability in an individual's life. The chapter also explores the potential for conflict and tension between mentors and mentees, as well as the ways in which these conflicts can be resolved.

The ninth chapter, "Conclusion," concludes the book by summarising the key findings and implications of the contributors. The chapter highlights the importance of understanding the family and its impact on psychic development, as it can provide a framework for understanding and addressing a wide range of psychological and social issues. The chapter also highlights the need for further research and exploration in this area, as there is still much to be learned about the complex and multifaceted relationship between the family and psychic development.

In conclusion, Beyond Family is a groundbreaking work that provides a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the family and its impact on psychic development. Collectively authored by psychoanalytic colleagues of multiple nationalities, ages, genders, religious origins, and meta-theoretical persuasions, the book goes far beyond the usual orbit of parents and siblings. By casting a wide net and examining a number of key figures who may affect an individual's psychic development and functioning, the contributors offer a wealth of knowledge and expertise that is invaluable to anyone interested in this field. The book is divided into nine chapters, each focusing on a different aspect of the family and its impact on psychic development. The first chapter, "Nannies," explores the centuries-old history of nannies in the West and highlights the contributions of four renowned psychoanalysts: Sigmund Freud, Sándor Ferenczi, John Bowlby, and Wilfred Bion. Freud, known for his work on the unconscious mind, argued that nannies play a crucial role in shaping an individual's early development by providing a nurturing and supportive environment. Ferenczi, on the other hand, believed that nannies can be a source of conflict and tension in the family, as they may compete with the parents for the child's affection and attention. Bowlby, known for his work on attachment theory, argued that nannies can play a crucial role in promoting attachment and bonding between the child and the parent. Bion, known for his work on group analysis, argued that nannies can be a source of support and guidance for the family, as they can provide a sense of continuity and stability in the child's life.

The second chapter, "Neighbors," examines the role of neighbors in shaping psychic development. The contributors use material from religious texts, fiction, and poetry to explore the complex relationships between neighbors and their impact on an individual's psychic development. The chapter highlights the importance of maintaining good relationships with neighbors, as they can provide a sense of community and support. The chapter also explores the potential for conflict and tension between neighbors, as well as the ways in which these conflicts can be resolved.

The third chapter, "Childhood Playmates and Friends," explores the nature of friendship and how it develops across the lifespan. The contributors use a blend of neurophysiology, endocrine studies, behavioral observations, social–cultural vectors, and psychoanalytic insights to examine the role of childhood development in shaping adult relationships. The chapter highlights the importance of maintaining healthy relationships with childhood playmates and friends, as they can provide a sense of continuity and stability in an individual's life. The chapter also explores the potential for conflict and tension between childhood playmates and friends, as well as the ways in which these conflicts can be resolved.

The fourth chapter, "School Teachers," examines the role of school teachers in shaping psychic development. The contributors use literature on teacher–student relationships synthesised with psychoanalytic developmental theory to explore the role of school teachers in shaping psychic development. The chapter highlights the importance of maintaining healthy relationships with school teachers, as they can provide a sense of continuity and stability in an individual's life. The chapter also explores the potential for conflict and tension between school teachers and students, as well as the ways in which these conflicts can be resolved.

The fifth chapter, "Clergy," blends Judeo-Christian religious customs with psychoanalytic developmental theory to explore the role of clergy in shaping psychic development. The contributors use a blend of neurophysiology, endocrine studies, behavioral observations, social–cultural vectors, and psychoanalytic insights to examine the role of clergy in shaping psychic development. The chapter highlights the importance of maintaining healthy relationships with clergy, as they can provide a sense of continuity and stability in an individual's life. The chapter also explores the potential for conflict and tension between clergy and parishioners, as well as the ways in which these conflicts can be resolved.

The sixth chapter, "Adolescent Peers," examines the developmental significance of adolescent peers in shaping psychic development. The contributors use a blend of neurophysiology, endocrine studies, behavioral observations, social–cultural vectors, and psychoanalytic insights to examine the role of adolescent peers in shaping psychic development. The chapter highlights the importance of maintaining healthy relationships with adolescent peers, as they can provide a sense of continuity and stability in an individual's life. The chapter also explores the potential for conflict and tension between adolescent peers, as well as the ways in which these conflicts can be resolved.

The seventh chapter, "Lovers," explores the myriad ways in which romantic relationships mirror early development. The contributors use a blend of neurophysiology, endocrine studies, behavioral observations, social–cultural vectors, and psychoanalytic insights to examine the role of romantic relationships in shaping psychic development. The chapter highlights the importance of maintaining healthy relationships with lovers, as they can provide a sense of continuity and stability in an individual's life. The chapter also explores the potential for conflict and tension between lovers, as well as the ways in which these conflicts can be resolved.

The eighth chapter, "Mentors," examines the role of mentors and the evolution of the mentor–mentee relationship. The contributors use a blend of neurophysiology, endocrine studies, behavioral observations, social–cultural vectors, and psychoanalytic insights to examine the role of mentors and the evolution of the mentor–mentee relationship. The chapter highlights the importance of maintaining healthy relationships with mentors, as they can provide a sense of continuity and stability in an individual's life. The chapter also explores the potential for conflict and tension between mentors and mentees, as well as the ways in which these conflicts can be resolved.

The ninth chapter, "Conclusion," concludes the book by summarising the key findings and implications of the contributors. The chapter highlights the importance of understanding the family and its impact on psychic development, as it can provide a framework for understanding and addressing a wide range of psychological and social issues. The chapter also highlights the need for further research and exploration in this area, as there is still much to be learned about the complex and multifaceted relationship between the family and psychic development.

Weight: 408g
Dimension: 151 x 229 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781800131774