The Oedipus complex is a concept that was defended by the psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, who refers to a phase of the child's psychosexual development, called the phallic phase, in which he begins to feel a desire for the father element of the opposite sex and anger and jealousy for the element of the same sex.
According to Freud, the phallic phase happens around the age of three, when the child begins to realize that he is not the center of the world and that the parents' love is not only for themselves, but also shared between them. It is also at this stage that the boy begins to discover his genital organ, manipulating it frequently, which is often disapproved by the parents, creating in the boy a fear of castration, making him retreat to that love and desire for the mother, since the father is a far superior rival to him.
This is a determining stage for your behavior in adulthood, especially in relation to your sex life.
What are the phases of the Oedipus Complex
At around 3 years of age, the boy begins to become more attached to his mother, wanting her only for himself, but as he discovers that the father also loves his mother, he feels that he is his rival, because he wants her only for himself., without your interference. As the child cannot eliminate his rival, who is the father, he can become disobedient, and have some aggressive attitudes.
Furthermore, when the boy enters the phallic phase, he begins to direct his interest and curiosity towards his genital organ, which can be perceived by the parents, since he manipulates it frequently, which is often disapproved by them, making -the retreat to that love and desire for the mother, due to the fear of being castrated, since the father is a rival far superior to him.
According to Freud, it is also at this stage that boys and girls are concerned with anatomical differences between the sexes. Girls become envious of the male organ and boys are afraid of castration, because they think the girl's penis has been cut. On the other hand, the girl, upon discovering the absence of a penis, feels inferior and blames the mother, developing a feeling of hatred.
Over time, the child begins to appreciate the father's qualities, generally imitating his behavior and as he progresses into adulthood, the boy becomes detached from the mother and becomes independent, beginning to become interested in other women.
The same symptoms can happen in female children, but the feeling of desire is towards the father and that of anger and jealousy towards the mother. In girls, this phase is called the Electra Complex.
What is the poorly resolved Oedipus complex?
Men who fail to overcome the Oedipus complex can become effeminate and develop fears and women can acquire behaviors characteristic of men. Both can become sexually cooler and shy people, and may experience feelings of inferiority and fear of disapproval.
In addition, according to Freud, when the Oedipus complex extends into adulthood, it can often cause male or female homosexuality.
