Organization and the Mother Archetype

Abstract

This article explores the concept of organization as a manifestation of the mother archetype. Using the work of the depth psychologist C. G. Jung, the author contends that when the male identifies his ego with the organization he becomes one with the unconscious mother archetype that entraps and retards his adult development. Excessive concern for security, lack of independence, self-emasculation, inability to assume responsibility for one's actions, and lack of feeling become the hallmarks of such collective men. Ultimately, living in identification with an archetype results in the loss of control over one's perceptions and actions. In addition, the author contends that living in identification with the mother archetype also harms the organization.