One of the most significant steps in our growth as human beings is the discovery that our earthly parents, contrary to our childish notions, are imperfect. A friend remembered well an incident in that process of discovery in his own life. He always thought his father was the perfect driver and that he was absolutely safe riding with him until one day he almost hit the side of a bridge. His father was a very good driver, but he was not, he was discovering, perfect.

Eventually, the discovery of the imperfections of our fathers goes much deeper than driving. We begin to see they lust after other women, are influenced by greed, are not always wise in their counsel, can make poor decisions, and can exhibit weakness both in body and character.

Freud, and other psychologists, suggest it is at t…