Research Paper on:
Separation And Individuation: Case Study

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
relates directly to Gillians inability to realize herself as an individual. The developmental period between three months and three years is critical to how a person ultimately deals with  emotional situations in his or her future; in Gillians case, Ms Smith sabotaged any normal development by imparting the exact same stringent and controlling demands she sought to escape from  her own mother. Gillians real self was thwarted by these unresolved, intergenerational themes because she was never able to develop a true sense  of her own self. From little on, she was forced to conform to what Ms Smith believed to be the right way of doing things, effectively keeping Gillian on  a very short emotional leash so she would keep from defying Ms Smiths wishes. Gillian learned at an early age to challenge and disobey her mother nonetheless, which only  served to exacerbate Ms Smiths already shaky mothering abilities. Dumping Gillian at her own mothers house while she was pregnant with her second child only served to add insult  to an existing emotional injury to the point where Gillian not only experienced tremendous doubts about herself but now also felt shuffled and unloved. The emotional trauma of separation and  individuation has come to the forefront of Gillians mind at this particular point in time because the contemplation of life beyond high school often becomes a trigger point for many  adolescents. Gillian will now be forced to make very difficult decisions that will impact her immediate and future life all at the same time; based upon the preparation she  has received from a wholly inadequate mother, it is no wonder Gillian is going through the throes of separation and individuation. Shes never been encouraged to develop her own