Electra complex
Overview
The Electra complex is a psychoanalytic term that describes a girl's psychosexual competition with her mother for possession of her father. Coined by Carl Gustav Jung in 1913, the term is derived from the Greek mythological character Electra, who plotted the murder of her mother to avenge her father's death. The Electra complex is considered the female counterpart to Sigmund Freud's concept of the Oedipus complex in males.
Historical Background
The term Electra complex was first proposed by Jung in his 1913 work, "Theory of Psychoanalysis." However, it is important to note that Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis, did not use this term, nor did he fully accept Jung's ideas about female psychosexual development. Freud believed that all children initially identify with their mother and then with their father, regardless of their gender. This process, according to Freud, leads to the resolution of the Oedipus complex in boys and the development of penis envy in girls.
Theoretical Framework
The Electra complex arises during the phallic stage of psychosexual development, which occurs roughly between the ages of three and six. During this stage, according to Jung, a girl becomes emotionally attached to her father and begins to compete with her mother for his attention and affection. This competition is driven by the girl's desire for the father, which is often expressed in symbolic terms as a wish to possess his penis.
Stages of the Electra Complex
The Electra complex unfolds in several stages:
Identification
The first stage of the Electra complex is identification with the mother. The girl recognizes that she is like her mother and that they both are females. This identification is crucial for the development of the girl's gender identity.
Competition
The second stage is characterized by the girl's rivalry with her mother for the father's attention and affection. This rivalry is driven by the girl's sexual desire for the father, which Jung referred to as "father fixation."
Resolution
The final stage of the Electra complex is its resolution. This occurs when the girl gives up her sexual desire for her father and identifies with her mother. This identification with the mother enables the girl to internalize societal norms and values, which are crucial for her socialization and moral development.
Criticisms and Controversies
The concept of the Electra complex has been criticized on several grounds. Some critics argue that it is based on outdated gender stereotypes and does not reflect the diversity of girls' experiences and identities. Others point out that the concept is based on a heteronormative model of family structure and does not take into account the experiences of girls in same-sex or single-parent families.