The Art Of Loving By Erich Fromm's Theory Of Love

The Art of Loving by Erich Fromm (1956) explores Fromm’s methods of different forms of love with input from other psychologists including Sigmund Freud. Erich Fromm considers a variety of different forms of love while providing information regarding one’s ability or inability to love. Love is an art which requires practice, patience, and understanding. Similar to other forms of art, love requires mastery as well as great attention to detail. Fromm’s theory of love is broken down into three specific sections; each section exploring the depth and true meaning of love in different relationships. Erich Fromm begins his theory by expressing the difficulties in achieving love, but stating love is an important art and a part of life. Love is not

In motherly love, a child knows they are loved unconditionally based on the mother’s affection. A child does not need to deserve a mother’s love, but simply needs to be. Conversely, is a mother’s love is not present, a child cannot experience this love and motherly love cannot be created. At approximately eight and a half years old, a child has seen the love it’s mother has given and learns how to give love in return. Erich Fromm describes different forms of love a child may express including infantile love, immature love, and mature love. Each form of love is developed over time through experience and practice. Motherly love is a form of unconditional love; therefore, a child is likely to cling to this relationship. Other forms of love, including romantic love, are not unconditional which may cause the love to disappear. Fatherly love is different from motherly love because fatherly love is conditional. Fatherly love can be earned and greatly benefits a child because of the authority and guidance a father can give. As a child matures in their ability to love, he or she develops their own ability to exhibit motherly or fatherly

Fromm believes there is no specific prescription for love. To love, one must learn through practice. Three primary components of practicing love are discipline, concentration, and patience. Discipline in love takes place throughout an individual’s entire life. To love, an individual must concentrate on loving and take time only to focus on love. Patience is experienced in love through practice and waiting for the right love. Patience in love may require time, but time can prove mastery of the art. To love, we must show supreme concern by learning the art of love, practicing, and focusing just as in any other form of art. Erich Fromm concludes The Art of Loving by providing input and opinions for successful love. Fromm believes to love successfully, we must live in the present and enjoy the loving moments we share together. Throughout the text, Fromm discusses the hurdles in love related to narcissism. Fromm concludes narcissism cannot be present in loving relationships; we must consider others in all relationships. For successful love, we all must have faith in the art of love. We each envision the love we want and by practicing our faith for love, we can have successful