Caroline Goldman, eldest daughter of the famous singer Jean-Jacques Goldman, has established herself as a unique figure in the field of child and adolescent psychology in France. At 46, this doctor in clinical psychopathology specializes in psychoanalysis. She defends strong positions on education. Moreover, she firmly opposes the principles of so-called positive education. Indeed, she considers it harmful to children.
Caroline Goldman is not an unknown figure in the field of psychology. Coming from a family where intellectualism is a heritage, she grew up between a mother who is a child psychologist and a father who needs no introduction despite his legendary discretion. A father who would also be a keen observer of human emotions… Her academic training is equally rigorous. After studying psychology, she defended a thesis in 2008 at the University of Paris 5, under the supervision of Catherine Chabert, focusing on the affectivity of intellectually gifted children. From then on, she opened her practice in Montrouge and taught at the university and in psychology schools.
The media emergence of Caroline Goldman began with a podcast launched in 2022, where she addresses educational issues from a psychoanalytic perspective. She positions herself in direct opposition to figures of positive education like Isabelle Filliozat and Catherine Gueguen. Goldman criticizes this educational approach, which she considers responsible for the increase in behavioral disorders among children. For her, the notion of limits is crucial. She thus advocates for the time out, a method of temporarily excluding the child in case of transgression, to restore order without resorting to physical or verbal violence.
However, her positions are not without controversy. Many criticize her for having a vision considered regressive and disconnected from current scientific advances, particularly in neuroscience. Caroline Goldman remains inflexible, ardently defending psychoanalysis against a modern psychology that she sometimes finds too technical and distant from deep human realities.
The psychologist also stands out for her communication style, mixing rigor and humor. This allows her to popularize complex concepts with unusual clarity. This talent, however, has not always been accompanied by media ease. Known for her discretion, she long avoided the spotlight, aware of the intrusions that fame can provoke, especially within her family.
The criticisms from her opponents, often harsh, do not seem to shake her. Caroline Goldman responds with unwavering conviction, reminding of her goal: to offer children a structuring framework, which she believes is necessary for their development. She regularly reaffirms that setting limits is an act of love. It allows children to grow up in a secure environment, conducive to learning and personal development.
Her recent media career has sparked mixed reactions. Some applaud her courage to go against an educational orthodoxy that she considers too permissive. Others, however, denounce an approach that is too severe, even reductive or outdated. Caroline Goldman remains steadfast: she continues to defend an education that, far from the idea of repression, aims to restore balance in parent-child relationships.
Caroline Goldman thus embodies a figure of contemporary psychoanalysis that refuses to be marginalized by new trends in psychology. Her books and public interventions are part of this rehabilitation approach. She considers this approach essential to understanding the child’s psyche.
Despite the controversies, Caroline Goldman remains an influential and increasingly listened-to voice. Her quest for firmness in education continues, driven by a deep conviction. She defends it with a certain aplomb, at the risk of displeasing.