The Oedipus complex is a concept defended by the psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, which refers to a phase of the psychosexual development of the child, called the psyche phase, in which he begins to feel the desire of the parental element of the opposite sex and anger and jealousy for the element of the same sex.
According to Freud, the cyclical phase occurs around the age of three, when the child begins to realize that he is not the center of the world and that the love of the parents is not only for themselves, but also shared among themselves.Also at this stage the child begins to discover his genitals, manipulating them frequently, which is often disapproved by the parents, creating in the child a fear of castration, pushing him towards that love and desire of the mother, since the father is a rival far superior to him.
This is a critical step for your behavior in adulthood, especially in relation to your sex life.
Around age 3, the child begins to stick more closely to his mother, wanting her only for him, but when he discovers that the father also loves his mother, he feels that he is his rival, because he only wants her for him.., without his interference.As the child cannot eliminate his rival, who is the father, he can become disobedient and have aggressive attitudes.
In addition, when the child enters the pálica phase, he begins to direct his interest and curiosity towards his genitals, which can be perceived by the parents, because he often handles them, which is often disapproved of by them, making – retired towards this love and desire of the mother, for fear of being castrated, since the father is a rival far superior to him.
According to Freud, it is also at this stage when boys and girls worry about the anatomical differences between the sexes, girls become jealous of the male organ and boys are afraid of castration because they think that the girl has been cut off. penis. 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 qualities of the father, usually imitating his behavior, and as he progresses into adulthood, the child disconnects from the mother and becomes independent, beginning to take an interest in other women.
In girls the same symptoms may occur, but the feeling of desire is towards the father and that of anger and jealousy towards the mother, in girls this phase is called Electra complex.
Men who do not overcome the Oedipus complex can become effeminate and develop fears, and women can develop characteristic behaviors of men.Both can become sexually colder and shyer 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.