Bettelheim, B. (1972). The empty fortress: Infantile autism and the birth of the self. The Free Press.

State University of New York at Binghamton

Bottema-Beutel cites Bruno Bettelheim as a primary example of historical psychological frameworks that blame parents for childhood conditions. By referencing his 1972 work, "The Empty Fortress: Infantile Autism and the Birth of the Self", the text identifies Bettelheim as a key figure in establishing a clinical tradition where a child's condition is attributed to the failures or actions of the parents rather than biological or neurological factors. This historical context creates a legacy of blame that modern caregivers must actively navigate when interacting with mental health systems to avoid being implicated in their child's behavior.

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