The changeling myth and the pre-psychology of parenting.

Abstract

Most European cultures, especially in rural areas, and until recently, routinely used ritual magic procedures to protect new-born children and their mothers from fairies, demons, and other supernatural beings. There seemed general recognition that this was a hazardous period for mother and child even if the dangers were seen as external, rather than internal (Hastings, 1910; Krappe, 1930). In this paper, several of these legends will be recounted, which illustrate a number of recurring themes which are of considerable interest to the student of human development. It is proposed that the changeling legend explained, by attribution to supernatural forces, such pathological developmental problems as early failure of attachment, rejection, projective and identificatory problems, and or course, the developmental process in which many of these issues are subsumed, the separation-individuation process (Mahler et al., 1975). A case is presented which illustrates important elements of the legend and an attempt is made to show how the legends may be understood in the light of developmental theory.