The actualisation of the child restrained in his becoming

Abstract

This dissertation focusses on pupils who do not act according to the expectations of their educators. They are restrained in their becoming actualising persons. On the basis of the description of becoming as a phenomenon, criteria are formulated in order to identify children restrained in their becoming. These children's actualisation is investigated in accordance with the criteria for adequate actualisation. By way of observation, questionnaires and personal interviews it has been empirically established that the restrained child has relational difficulties, especially with parents, and that these difficulties result in inadequate exploration, emancipation, differentiation, distantiation and objectification. One restraint can affect every area of the child's actualisation. Educators may assist the restrained child by ensuring that his basic educational needs are met. But the chief need of the child restrained in his becoming has emerged as the security and protection an adequate father-figure (all be it a teacher) provides.