Freud_Burlingham_1943_War_and_Children_k_text

failure of billeting mothers on householders,that it is impossible for two women to shareone kitchen. This may be exaggerated. Butit is certainly impossible for two mothers toshare one child.There is a third, minor, problem which sofar has been less considered. It is the problemof jealousy and competition between brothersand sisters which is presented in evacuation inthe new form of jealousy of fosterbrothersand sisters. Children neverfeel friendly towards newborn additions totheir family. They sometimes pretend to doso; at other times they are mollified by thesmallness and complete helplessness of the newcomer.The newly billeted foster-brother, onthe other hand, isvery often neither small norhelpless. He usurps rights which the otherchild is unwilling to give up. The billetednewcomer for his part is deeply conscious ofhis second-rate position and is embittered by it.There are certainly all the elements for jealousyand discomfort given in the situation.These reactions are interesting enough tobe made the subject of surveys which are carriedout by child guidance clinics set up inreception areas and by consulting psychologistsattached to County Medical Offices. Theykeep an eye on trouble in the billets, smoothnut difficulties and remove the worst billeting41