Psychodynamic explanations of gender development

Psychodynamic explanations of gender development

Freud proposed that we move through a number of age-related stages

• The first two stages are the oral stage and the anal stage -gender identity is said to be flexible and there is no differences between girls and boys as both seek pleasure though their mouth and anus

At the phallic stage understanding of gender begins to change and the child seeks pleasure from playing with his or her own genitals - they become aware of physical differences

The Oedipus complex

• Develop a passionate desire for their own mother
• Sees their father as a rival who stands in their way
• Boys feelings go beyond jealousy - wish their father was dead
• Fear their father and as a consequence they develop castration anxiety because they believe the father will find out about their desire
• Boys recognise their father is more powerful than them, partly because they have a bigger penis

The Electra complex

• Girls resent their mothers because they realise they do not have penises and they feel cheated because males have one. They believe they have…