Boy is a nurse to his mother

[jack2410]

Hello everybody! I appreciate you help.

How can I go directly to descriptions of how personality development is skewed by abnormal (not sexual) childhood intimacy with parents?

A family comprised of a father, sister and brother must share the duties of nursing the fourth member of the family, the bed-ridden mother. This occurs during the pre-pubescent and pubescent years of the brother's life. How is the unusual physical intimacy with the mother, which nursing care necessitates, shown to effect the boy's personality development?

Where can I find and read about this subject? Maybe some search terms might help or specific references.

Thank you.

[Mike Bradley]

I've asked around and no one knows of any research that might be helpful. I can tell you that in other cultures such care giving arrangements are not unusual, and much of the impact of such exposure is related to the associated taboo and stigma conveyed by others around the child. In other words if people act as if this is not a bizarre thing, then the child is more likely to accept it accordingly. Regardless, I would suggest providing this boy with a counselor, a non-family member with whom he can process whatever stresses this difficult situation may present to him.
Take care.