Analyzing the Need for Belonging in Translated Children and Adolescent’s Stories, Based on Erich Fromm's Theory

Every year, a considerable quantity of children's books are translated into Persian and receive widespread attention from readers. Translated literature for children and adolescents must be evaluated, analyzed, and critiqued in accordance with the needs of its target audience. This study investigates the need for belonging and attachment based on Erich Fromm’s (1980-90) theory in translated children’s and young adult literature. Methodologically, this research is theoretical in nature and follows a descriptive-analytical approach. Data collection has been conducted through library research. The statistical population consists of selected translated books for children and adolescents, and the sample includes 29 translated titles chosen through purposive sampling (focusing on the most award-winning works). Data analysis was carried out using qualitative content analysis.
Findings indicate that fraternal love appears most frequently in the stories, with 24 occurrences. This is followed by maternal and paternal love. Sexual love and self-love were not explicitly observed in the stories. Two types of relationships—healthy and unhealthy—are portrayed in these narratives. In several stories that examine fraternal love, the protagonists initially experience rejection but later become loved due to their merits. Parents who attempt to dominate their children are depicted as unsuccessful characters. In some stories, the absence of one or more elements of true love undermines the relationships between characters.
Introduction
Discussing love as one of the most significant spiritual characteristics in humans has been a central focus for scholars across societies. As Mokhtari (1999, p. 612) states, "Love is the pure and ultimate manifestation of human solidarity. A person does not connect with others in a superficial and accidental way or through mere introverted thinking." However, love holds a particularly high status in Erich Fromm’s theories and constitutes one of the core concepts in his teachings. Fromm (2013, pp. 236, 314) defines a psychologically healthy person as one who lives through love and connects with the world by means of love. From his perspective, love is not primarily an attachment to a specific person; rather, it is a general disposition and an orientation of character that binds an individual to the entire world, rather than to one exclusive beloved. He argues that "If a person loves only one individual while remaining indifferent to others, this bond is not love but rather a form of cooperative dependency or an expanded form of selfishness" (Fromm, 2009, p. 58).
The need to establish healthy relationships is a fundamental human necessity that must be addressed. This need emerges from childhood, and if a child is taught how to engage with it properly, they will be protected from the adverse consequences of failing to fulfill this need in adulthood. Parents, teachers, educators, librarians, and even children's books each play a role in fostering this understanding, with a significant portion of the responsibility falling on children's literature.
Each year, numerous children's books are translated into Persian and receive widespread readership. However, translated children's and young adult literature must be analyzed, critiqued, and assessed from multiple perspectives, particularly in terms of addressing readers’ needs. This study examines the need for connection in translated children’s and adolescent literature, focusing on award-winning translated books based on Erich Fromm’s theory of love. The primary research question is: How and to what extent is the need for connection depicted in translated children’s and young adult books?
This study is a theoretical research project conducted using a descriptive-analytical approach. The library research method was used for data collection, and the sample consists of 29 award-winning translated children's and young adult books, purposefully selected based on their high recognition. The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Initially, the stories were analyzed based on Fromm’s components of love, and subsequently, the frequency of these components was compared across the selected stories.
Findings and Discussion
Brotherly Love: This fundamental form of love, which serves as a basis for other types, was the most frequently observed in the analyzed stories. In many cases, healthy relationships were established only after mutual recognition between characters. At times, due to a lack of understanding, a character initially experienced rejection but later developed a strong bond with others once recognition was established.
Unconditional Kindness & Affection: One key factor in fostering brotherly love within these stories was unconditional kindness, regardless of family ties. These narratives help children understand that four key elements—awareness, respect, responsibility, and care—are essential for building healthy relationships.
Maternal Love: Six stories depicted maternal love, with two of them showcasing unhealthy maternal relationships. In What Does Little Nini Want?, the importance of understanding a child’s needs is emphasized, demonstrating how maternal awareness leads to proper care. However, in stories where maternal relationships fail, the parents attempt to establish authority-based control, which prevents a healthy bond from forming. In two cases, grandmothers played the maternal role in a child's life.
Paternal Love: Three stories included fatherly love. In A Park and Some Voices, the father's love is genuine and unconditional, rather than based on satisfaction with his child’s behavior. However, Gorilla and Matilda present unhealthy paternal relationships. In Gorilla, the father neglects his daughter's emotional needs, never engaging with her. Longing for affection, she dreams of a loving gorilla, dressing him in her father’s clothes and going on outings with him.
Self-Love: While self-love appears in various forms across different stories, Shengal serves as a notable example of self-rejection. The book teaches children to value individual differences and unique abilities, promoting self-confidence. It reassures young readers that feeling inadequate due to being different is unnecessary, as these differences can often be a source of strength.
Conclusion
This study highlights the significant role of translated children's literature in shaping a child’s understanding of love and relationships. The findings indicate that brotherly love is the most frequently depicted form, followed by maternal and paternal love, while romantic love and self-love are less explicitly presented. The presence or absence of key love components such as awareness, respect, responsibility, and care greatly influences the dynamics of relationships within these stories. By identifying these patterns, educators, parents, and publishers can better assess the psychological impact of translated literature on young readers, ensuring that books selected for children foster healthy emotional development.