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What Is Castration Complex Theory?

Posted on Wed, 20 May 2015

Question: hello sir
how you doing?
is it true about frued castaration complex theory?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
You mean Freud castration complex, right?

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXX and thanks for using HCM.

Castration complex, or early childhood fear of genitalia being damaged by father, is a integral part of our psychosexual development.

Its source is related to fact that the young child with primitive desires comes face to face with restrictions of society (prohibitions against incest and murder).

This prohibition sometimes is reinforced by parents, with different warnings about physical damage, against prohibited behavior.

Hope this answers your question. If you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your questions.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (6 hours later)

olso its true or depends on society and bad behavior of parents?2_ like threaten the boy of cutting his organs?3_ what about the girls ?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It is a true/normal part of psychosexual development.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again XXXXX

Castration complex is a integral part of psychosexual development that starts during childhood.

If parents/society threaten continuously on child about damaging sexual organs, this could be a source of psychosexual inadequate development or could be a predispositing factor in developing mental illnesses.

It is true for girls too.

Hope I helped you. Best regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)

yes i think it may develope to mental illness 1_some one called it circumasation complex they mean the complex because of circumasation traditions.. do you think men circumasation and because of society talks and conversation make lil boys feel afraid of cutting his organs? because lil boy in 3 years age is learning life facts from his parents willnot get his fears of castration complex without listening as a child to society talk and believes. like some men they thought from their childhood and the society talk(in my society thenly dont call her as its scientific name circumasation they call it cutting penis due 4 imoorality) that circumasation is cutting penis but really its cutting the foreskin not the penis and now as an adult men they discovered the truth about circumasation and isnt cuttting penis .2_ i read some physoanalyst who neo freudianism like XXXXXXX horney and XXXXXXX XXXXXXX they also believe it depends on the culture 3-what is the castration complex refering to the girls ?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Circumcision is different from castration complex.

Detailed Answer:
Good to have you back XXXXX

Castration complex is a metaphorical expression, that describes an element of psychosexual development, it shouldn't be taken literally.

It is applied to girls too (related to Electra complex), because it expresses the fear of sexual organs damage.

Circumcision is another thing and is used in many cultures, the way a community speaks about it, or treat this issue, could have negative impact on child development.

Circumcision should be done when needed, medically speaking.

Threatening a child with sexual damage (even repeated threats about circumcision), impacts negatively psychological development.

Best regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)

it refers to sexual organ damage or penis damage ? because refering to a girl it refers to their clitoris damage or their small penis damage? 2_ and do they think it damaged or afraid from damage ?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Castration complex refers to fear of sexual organ damage.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXX

As I said before, castration complex refers to fear of damage of the sexual organs, and describes a psychosexual phase when child with primitive desires faces restrictions by parents or social rules.

It is a normal phase of development, threatening continuously about sexual organs damage, both in boys and girls, induces a kind of obsession and fear.

Hope I've been understandable to you.
Best regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)

yes i understand how horrible to threaten .. but i didnt get my answer is for girls castration complex is refering to clitoris damagee or thought of no penis or cut her penis

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You shouldn't take it literally.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again XXXX

You shouldn't take castration complex literally.

In girls is not related directly to clitoris damage, as in boys, it shows or refers to fear of sexual organs damage, eg. to threaten a little girl about vaginal damage in case of unacceptable behavior.

In some societies ( rare ones in XXXXXXX fortunately) the hymen of girls is broken by her father.

You should understand correctly castration complex damage, it refers the fear induced to a child in development against its primitive desires.

If this fear is amplified by threatening, predisposition of developing mental illnesses increases.

Wishing you the best.
If you have further questions feel free to ask.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (2 hours later)

yes i understand. and ita normal for sexual developement but in wikipedia they wrote castration complex for girls its discovering having no penis .

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (15 hours later)

Brief Answer:
According to Freud it is penis envy.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again XXXXX

In girls, castration complex (according to Freud) is related to "penis envy" and for this, girls blame unconsciously their mothers, this is the metaphorical aspect.

Another aspect of castration anxiety is the fear or threatening of sexual organs damage.

According to Freud, castration anxiety in girls never resolved, but this theory has many critics against.

Best regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (3 hours later)

ok i understand... i understand threaten a child is horrible and will lead to mental ilness... but for last question is also playing with a child by threaten him to cut his organs (playing not real threaten) or any other type but playing .... will effect him with mental ilness?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
We don't know for sure.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again XXXXX

If castration anxiety could lead to mental illness, is not sure yet, but it is known that it may predispose to such events.

If only playing ( not threaten) with a child about sexual organs damage, will impact future psychological development, depends on child age.

Castration anxiety starts in children of ages 3 to 5 years old.

In this age it is indistinguishable for a child playing from real life, so exists the possibility of amplifying castration anxiety.

In my opinion, better to avoid such playing.

Hope I helped you out.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (6 days later)

yes thank you so i recommend not to play games like this and i may prefer not to do circumasation also for personal reason... thank you so much

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You are welcome.

Detailed Answer:
Hope the best for you and your family.

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar