One point in Sander's rich paper (Sander, this journal) strikes a subject that I would like to discuss a few steps further. On page 1 Sander writes: ". . . . Infancy lies at the intersection of multiple and powerful forces that, in shaping the present, shape the future. . . ." This is a pronouncement that might go unnoticed because of the many other interesting points in Sander's article. Sander also stresses the importance of the interdisciplinary approach to Infancy.
Both issues -intersection of powerful forces and multidisciplinary approach -speak of great attraction to the subject. Freud might have detected one major ingredient of this state of affairs when he referred to "His Majesty the Baby" (Freud, 1914).
My interpretation of Sander's pronouncement regarding "multiple and powerful forces" is that of dispute over appropriation. Not only do parents fight (in-and outside of courtrooms) for the right to appropriate themselves of their children, but so do religion, state, educational systems, culture, and dictators. 1 Sometimes doctors, nurses, and mental health specialists dispute with others over the "infants best interest." Nurses often develop a "mother-substitute syndrome" that becomes an obstacle when discharging an infant from a hospital. Therapists might end up disputing with schools, guardians and even parents about the "best interest" of a child.
"His Majesty" draws so many forces by reasons of attractiveness, fascination, and potential. Infants seem to have this "stickiness" that glues us together with them, for good or for bad. If, for any reason, infants and children don't comply with the designs and agendas produced for them by the different and diligent adults, we might get to see the worst of human nature expressed in the many forms of neglect and abuse. His Majesty might glide from Prince to Pauper in no time at all.
"There is such thing as an infant," is the other half of the Winnicottian truth (1977) "There is no such thing as a baby." 2 Since Winnicott's death 27 years ago, much has been documented about the infant's contribution and potential. The active, participating, stimulus seeking infant Address correspondence to J. Miguel Hoffmann, Sinclair 3139-7Π-(1425) Buenos