Home / Quotes / Quote by James Hillman

Quote by James Hillman

“It's not enough just to be a mother. It's not only the social pressure on mothers by certain kinds of feminism and other sources. There is also economic pressure on them.”

Quote by James Hillman

Author

James Hillman (April 12, 1926 - October 27, 2011) was an American psychologist and a prominent figure in the field of analytical psychology. His research focused on dream analysis, mythology, and the relationship between the human psyche and nature. Hillman's works have had a profound impact on psychology, literature, and the arts. more

You May Also Like

“It's a terrible cruelty of predatory capitalism: both parents now have to work. A family has to have two incomes in order to buy the things that are desirable in our culture. So the degradation of motherhood - the sense that motherhood isn't itself a calling - also arises from economic pressure.”

Two Order Culture Parent Economic Terrible Calling Capitalism Pressure Motherhood Income Arise Cruelty Desirable Degradation Predatory

Author:James Hillman

“I think the worst atmosphere for a six-year-old is one in which there are no expectations whatsoever. That is, it's worse for the child to grow up in a vacuum where "whatever you do is alright, I'm sure you'll succeed." That is a statement of disinterest. It says, "I really have no fantasies for you at all."”

Thinking Years Children Grows Fantasy Growing Up Worst Succeed Six Expectations Statements Atmosphere Vacuums Alright Six Year Olds Disinterest

Author:James Hillman

“A mother should have some fantasy about her child's future. It will increase her interest in the child, for one thing. To turn the fantasy into a program to make the child fly an airplane across the country, for example, isn't the point. That's the fulfillment of the parent's own dreams. That's different. Having a fantasy - which the child will either seek to fulfill or rebel against furiously - at least gives a child some expectation to meet or reject.”

Giving Should Children Different Country Dream Mother Turns Parent Interest Fantasy One Thing Example Expectations Program Should Have Increase Fulfillment Rejects Rebel Airplane

Author:James Hillman

“Aptitude can show calling, but it isn't the only indicator. Ineptitude or dysfunction may reveal calling more than talent, curiously enough.”

May Enough Shows Talent Calling Aptitude Indicators Dysfunction Ineptitude

Author:James Hillman

“Suppose that throughout your childhood you were good with numbers. Other kids used to copy your homework. You figured store discounts faster than your parents. People came to you for help with such things. So you took accounting and eventually became a tax auditor for the IRS. What an embarrassing job, right? You feel you should be writing poetry or doing aviation mechanics or whatever. But then you realize that tax collecting can be a calling too.”

“So when you consider the archetypal, historical, and cultural background of whatever you do, it gives you a sense that your occupation can be a calling and not just a job.”

Giving Jobs Calling Historical Backgrounds Occupation

Author:James Hillman

“I don't think you can revive traditions on purpose.”

Thinking Purpose Tradition Revive

Author:James Hillman

“What I try to point out is the role an ordinary person can have in seeing the child's destiny. You have to have a feeling for the child.”

Trying Children Persons Feelings Roles Destiny Seeing Ordinary Ordinary Person

Author:James Hillman

“Teachers today can't take to a child.”

Children Today Teacher

Author:James Hillman

“We need to get back to trusting our emotional rapport with children, to seeing a child's beauty and singling that child out. That's how the mentor system works - you're caught up in the fantasy of another person. Your imagination and their come together.”

Needs Children Persons Together Imagination Fantasy Seeing Emotional Caught Get Back Mentor Caught Up Rapport

Author:James Hillman