Generality
The Oedipus complex is the competition that a son unconsciously has for his father, due to the amorous projection towards the parent of the opposite sex (mother). This phenomenon is connected to sexual identity and represents a normal phase in a child's emotional development .
In evolutionary development, therefore, this stage is important for the future structuring of the personality.
Definition
The Oedipus complex is the unconscious refusal that the child experiences towards the parent of the same sex (the father for a male child or the mother for a daughter), associated with the attraction for the parent of the opposite sex (the mother for a child male or father for a daughter).
Today, this expression is used for both sexes, although girls are often referred to as the Elettra complex.
The origin of the Oedipus complex
The expression " Oedipus complex " originates from the theme suggested by the legend of Oedipus, hero of Greek mythology unaware of his origins and destined by Fato to unconsciously kill his father Laio, from whom he was abandoned at birth. After various vicissitudes, Oedipus marries his mother Jocasta, without knowing the true identity of the woman, thus starting an incestuous relationship.
For girls, however, the " Elettra complex " takes its inspiration from the name of the Greek heroine who killed her mother, Clytemnestra, to avenge her father Agamemnon.
Structure of the Oedipus complex
The Oedipus complex is a concept originally developed by Sigmund Freud, within the framework of psychoanalytic theory .
According to the Freudian hypothesis, libido (ie the psychic expression of sexual energy, based on the existence of fundamental drives) emerges from birth, determining not only adult but also infantile behaviors.
Freud argues, in particular, that the libido passes through various evolutionary phases, correlated to different erogenous zones (ie those parts of the body whose stimulation is a source of sexual pleasure).
Specifically, these phases are:
- Oral phase (0-18 months) : it is characterized by the activity of sucking, source of pleasure and nourishment, and by introjection, that is by the obstruction of the object through the oral introduction;
- Anal Phase (18 months-3 years) : in this phase, the anus (or, better, the control that the child begins to show in the retention and expulsion of the feces) constitutes the most important place of desires and sexual gratifications;
- Phallic phase (3 years-5 years) : in this moment of evolution, the only organ known to both the male and the female is the penis, which creates an opposition between the two sexes. In this last phase, Freud places the birth of the Oedipus complex, that is the set of amorous and hostile feelings that the child feels towards his parents.
In the oral and anal stages, the individual's libido is self-erotic; in the phallic one, on the other hand, sexual desire opens up outside the individual himself, seeking in the other sex an object of love. Psychoanalysts believe that in this last phase the individual faces one of the most shocking emotional and affective experiences of all life: the future structuring of the personality depends on the resolution or not of the Oedipus complex.
How it manifests itself
The symptoms of the Oedipus complex can manifest themselves in the phase of the affective development of the child, which occurs from two and a half years up to about six years of age.
- Mother-child (or father-daughter) attachment. The Oedipus complex may be evident in boys around the age of three when:
- He wants to have his mother for himself and moves away from his father (considered as a rival in love);
- Become possessive towards the mother figure, which requires more attention, cuddles and tenderness;
- He gets angry if his father expresses affectionate gestures towards his mother;
- He tries to intrude on his parents' sexual intimacy by entering, for example, in their room without knocking;
- He feels the presence of his father as uncomfortable and shows his happiness when he takes a journey or is absent from home;
- It shows sexual curiosity for the mother (for example: she claims to sleep next to her at night).
As far as girls are concerned, the Oedipus complex can be configured in a similar way, with the necessary variations. A daughter can fortify her love projection against her father, to whom she requires numerous expressions of affection. Furthermore, the little girl tries to continually attract her father's attention, often taking refuge in his arms. At the same time, the mother becomes a rival or is seen as a superfluous figure. In the worst cases, the child performs disrespectful and aggressive behavior towards the mother figure, who is incited to leave her father.
- Castration complex. Between three and five years of age, the child begins to understand that he is not allowed to seduce his mother (according to Freud, this happens through the paternal references): meeting the limit of the ban and failing in these unconscious maneuvers, the child will suffocate their own opposition and will be forced to postpone satisfying their drives. The Oedipus complex will eventually express itself through anger attacks and nightmares. This phase is defined by Freud as a castration complex : in relation to his desire, the child believes that the punishment inflicted by the father is correct.
- Solution phase. Around the age of five or six, the child will gradually give up taking the place of the parent of his own sex, rejecting his emotions and passions in the unconscious.
At this age, the child shifts his interest from the mother to another female individual outside the family; moreover, he begins to share activities and adopts behaviors similar to those of his father, with which he identifies himself progressively.
Instead, the girls begin to do everything like their mother, which they take as an example to follow. The resolution of the Oedipus complex and castration anxiety leads to the psychic understanding of the differences between beings, between the sexes and between generations.
Positive and negative Oedipus complex
- The Oedipus complex is defined as positive, if the child manifests a loving projection towards the parent of the opposite sex, while that of the same sex becomes the object of hostile feelings.
- In the negative form of the Oedipus complex, on the other hand, the situation appears upside down, ie the child has an attraction for the parent of the same sex and refusal for that of the opposite sex.
- Most of the times, however, the Oedipus complex presents itself in complex form : depending on the individual cases, both parents can be objects of love and hostility, albeit in different and variable measure.
Note. The psychoanalytic scheme of the libido evolutionary phases formulated by Freud seems to exist, to date, only in a family nucleus where relationships respect a triangular system, constituted by child, father and mother. At present, however, it is necessary to consider the emergence of new forms of family, in which the paternal or maternal figure is absent (single-parent) or divided between two men or two women (homoparental). Therefore, the structure of the Oedipus complex should be revised to adapt it to these latter cases.
Role of parents
The Oedipus complex is a crucial moment, in which the difference between the sexes and between generations is sanctioned. This stage requires proper attention from parents.
In particular, it is necessary to explain to the child that he will not be able to have the same kind of relationship that his father has with his mother, but he will find, over time, another person with whom he can do what his parents do.
Generally, during emotional development, the father's authority sets limits with respect to the child's wishes. However, if the latter becomes temporarily aggressive or shows excessive jealousy and hostility, the parent must continue to behave as if nothing had happened. Instead, the preferred family figure must seize every opportunity to enhance the other parent.
Consequences on the adult
The Oedipus complex is a normal phase for the development of sexuality and personality of each individual. The way in which the complex is faced and overcome depends on how the previous evolutionary stages take place and how the two parents build the relationship with their children.
Children subjected to physical and verbal abuse, rejection and cruelty by parents seem to be more prone to develop problems with emotional intimacy.
However, the Oedipus complex can also affect people without particular psychological problems: in the course of their evolution, each faces and generally overcomes this evolutionary period.
Initially, unresolved incestuous fantasies during the growth of a child were related to the development of most psychic disorders, including the identification of the child with the mother and the attraction for same-sex persons.
How to deal with the bad resolution
As anticipated, the Oedipus complex can be influenced by the attitude of the parents and the relationship each of them has with the child.
A rejection of physical manifestations of affection, such as contact by a parent, can generate feelings of guilt and shame in the child, inhibiting his ability to enjoy his sexuality and develop healthy intimate relationships.
The normal overcoming of the Oedipus complex can be negatively influenced by an excessive emotional detachment, by punitive attitudes or by obvious seduction and sexual exploitation by a parent.
Personality disorders and problems with sexuality associated with not overcoming the Oedipus complex can be diagnosed by a specialist who will examine the patient's personal history accurately .
Psychosexual problems, including gender identity disorders and paraphilias, can be recognized and addressed with the help of well-informed health professionals, who must not miss the opportunity to intervene in a useful way. In fact, they can provide advice with delicacy and competence regarding sexuality.
