The individual who is prone to violent behaviour as a means of resolving internal conflicts is influenced by a continuing, conscious or unconscious fantasy life that is dominated by violence. 1 In this chapter I will examine the choice and function of a violent role model or ego ideal before and after puberty and the part it plays in reinforcing violence as a defence against breakdown in adolescence. I will illustrate my points with case material from a 16-year-old adolescent I will call Stan, who physically attacked another boy. After being taunted by an intimidating bully named Grummond, Stan took his father's cricket bat and hit Grummond repeatedly. He was quickly restrained by a number of his friends, although he struggled to inflict more injury on Grummond.

Violence as a defence against breakdown in adolescence

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