Toys: a Man Has His Reasons. Winnicottian Perspectives on the Playing of Men

The essay draws on the psychodynamic theory of D.W. Winnicott to argue for eight interrelated reasons informing the playing of men. Through playing, men seek to reestablish a holding environment; (re) discover their bodies; dabble with non-pathological insanity or madness; support their true self; e...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Hamman, Jaco J. 1967- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Springer Science Business Media B. V. [2021]
In: Pastoral psychology
Year: 2021, Volume: 70, Issue: 1, Pages: 87-106
Further subjects:B William Blake
B Playing
B Destruction
B transitional space
B Embodiment
B False and true self
B Toys
B D.W. Winnicott
B Ego orgasm
B Men
B Insanity
B Healing
B Erik Erikson
Online Access: Volltext (Resolving-System)
Description
Summary:The essay draws on the psychodynamic theory of D.W. Winnicott to argue for eight interrelated reasons informing the playing of men. Through playing, men seek to reestablish a holding environment; (re) discover their bodies; dabble with non-pathological insanity or madness; support their true self; experience transformation and enter transitional spaces; toy with destruction; seek healing from physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual wounds; they play to experience ego orgasms; and, men play for play’s own sake. The author’s own playing, in the form of long-distance motorcycling provides a backdrop of lived experience for the essay. The article mirrors Winnicott’s methodology, which resisted grand theory making as it focuses on specific psychodynamic insights and themes. Winnicott’s thought is used to extend William Blake’s wisdom around toys and reasons, wisdom Erik Erikson explored previously.
ISSN:1573-6679
Contains:Enthalten in: Pastoral psychology
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1007/s11089-021-00937-6