#bernbabble

There’s this thing in psychology developed by a guy called Bowlby, known as the maternal deprivation hypothesis. Essentially, it’s the view that the ability to form meaningful social relationships in adult hood relies on a close, continuous relationship with the mother, especially in the first two and a half years, but continues up to the age of five. People who develop this often seem ‘affectionless’- they have trouble expressing affection or concern for others. 

So, how does this relate to Digimon? Good question.

Pretty much, the answer is Kouji. While this could apply to several others (Yamato and Ruki come to mind), Kouji is all but a walking example of what I know of this hypothesis.

Limited interaction with his mother/a mother figure until the age of 5? Check. Trouble forming close relationships? Check. Trouble expressing affection and concern? Check and check.

While Kouji did have his mother for a bit, he must have separated from her by the time he was three or four- I certainly have memories from age 3, so if he was separated from Kouichi and his mother after then, he might remember them, and he didn’t seem to have any idea that he had a brother.

And though he had a step-mother, I’m fairly sure he went to the Digital World for her and his father’s 3rd wedding anniversary, so they would have gotten married when he was about 8 or 9, and probably didn’t meet her that long before then, so she wasn’t there as a mother figure during that time period.

From what we see of his home life, he didn’t seem to get on that well with his father, either, and I don’t recall seeing any friends (except his super-cool dog, but that’s not the point). That certainly sounds like trouble forming meaningful relationships to me.

And when he went to the Digital World, he only joined the rest of the Warriors out of necessity, it seems- and though he does get close to them later, he’s not overly nice about it, especially with Takuya; and when he’s worried about them, he’s normally pretty rude, wouldn’t you say? After the scene with the Bakumon (I think it says Tapirmon but I’m like 80% sure it’s a Bakumon), Kouji says (to Takuya) “I’ve heard that savages always rely on instinct”, or something to that affect, calling Takuya a savage- but they fist bump, and Kouji smirks, and Takuya smiles. They’re friends, but most people would be offended if they got called a savage; it’s how Kouji is expressing himself, through insults.