The Fantasy Bond

While the mother is usually considered to be the object of desire in a child's fantasy, this book offers a hypothesis centering around the concept of the Fantasy Bond, an illusion of connection formed with the mother and later with significant others in the individual's environment. This bond is developed through acts which enable the child to control both his perception of events and his movement in space. It enables him to feel safe when confronted by a frightening world by avoiding recognition of his own vulnerabilities. Further research is needed to determine whether such an illusion would be present prior to development of language and whether it would exist in individuals who do not establish close relationships with others.