Miller introduces the concept of 'poisonous pedagogy,' a child-rearing approach that suppresses a child's authentic emotions and enforces obedience and guilt. She argues that this pedagogy not only shapes the individual but also infiltrates psychoanalysis and society at large. Miller writes, 'For those narcissistic traumas—humiliation, rejection, mistreatment—inflicted on the child and traditionally considered a normal part of child-rearing are not touched upon and thus cannot be experienced by the patient.' This suppression of early trauma prevents patients from fully processing their emotions, perpetuating a cycle of guilt and repression. The societal implications are profound, as this conditioning fosters a populace that is easily manipulated by authority figures, unable to critically assess manipulative rhetoric or ideologies. | Alice Miller | Thou Shalt Not Be Aware

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The Impact of 'Poisonous Pedagogy' on Society

Miller introduces the concept of 'poisonous pedagogy,' a child-rearing approach that suppresses a child's authentic emotions and enforces obedience and guilt. She argues that this pedagogy not only shapes the individual but also infiltrates psychoanalysis and society at large. Miller writes, 'For those narcissistic traumas—humiliation, rejection, mistreatment—inflicted on the child and traditionally considered a normal part of child-rearing are not touched upon and thus cannot be experienced by the patient.' This suppression of early trauma prevents patients from fully processing their emotions, perpetuating a cycle of guilt and repression. The societal implications are profound, as this conditioning fosters a populace that is easily manipulated by authority figures, unable to critically assess manipulative rhetoric or ideologies.

-- Alice Miller