Child Development: The Anal Phase

The anal stage of motivational development is characterized by the child's central area of bodily concern in the rectum. Bowel movements become a source of pleasure to the child. He may defecate often to achieve this pleasure. This, however, would bring him into conflict with his parents. The conflict leads the child to develop an ego. He comes to realize that he cannot always do what he wants when he wants. He learns that there are certain times when it it appropriate to expel waste and other times when it is inappropriate. He gradually comes to understand his mother's wishes and abides by them.