Isolde: one of five – a male observer’s account of observing the fifth child in a family

Abstract

This article is an account of a male observer’s two-year infant observation of Isolde, the youngest of five children in her family. A number of themes emerge from the account, including the significance of the gender of the observer, the links between Isolde’s position in the family, the response of her two closest siblings – both boys, and her emerging character and personality.

Keywords:

• observation
• male observer
• youngest child
• large family
• Melanie Klein
• child development research

Notes on contributor

Jody Tranter completed the MA in Psychoanalytic Observational Studies, Tavistock Clinic and the University of East London in July 2012. Jody worked for six years at the Gloucester House, Tavistock Children’s Day Unit while studying and he is now Acting Senior Leader for Inclusion and Behaviour at a South London Primary School. Jody is a guest lecturer in Positive Behaviour Management at Roehampton University and runs his own behavioural consultancy.