Oedipus complex is a psychoanalytical theory, presented by the most famous neurologist Sigmund Freud. He is also known as the father of the psychoanalysis. Sigmund Freud introduced the concept of Oedipus complex in his work The Interpretation of Dreams. It is one the most controversial theories that Freud has produced. This theory describes the child’s sexual desire for the opposite –sex parent and jealousy and anger towards the same-sex parent.
Freud invented the term Oedipus complex from the Theban hero Oedipus of Greek legend, who unknowingly killed his father and married his mother. Freud observed that many male children have an extraordinary attraction towards their mother, and feeling of anger towards their father.
This sort of feeling is presented in the child by birth. Freud believes that Oedipus complex plays an important role in the development of the child’s character.
The sexual feeling for the mother is never explicit in the child’s life, although this feeling always lingers deep inside. The child may never articulate it, but it can be seen by his particular behavior pattern toward the mother.
Oedipus complex
Those male children who have an extremely close relationship with their mother are likely to foster their incestuous feelings even after their maturity level. Such children, when matured, mostly find it difficult to have a successful relationship with a woman.
Their yearning for the mother makes them search a spouse who is exactly like their mother. If a man with Oedipus complex marries a woman who does not resemble his mother, he is likely to start hating her.
Freud
Freud explains that every child is born with an Oedipus complex, although many get away from such feeling as they grow up. The relation with the same-sex parent also plays an important role in developing or eliminating the Oedipus complex.
According to Freud, the male child wishes to possess his mother and replace his father. The child views his father as a rival for the mother’s affections.
Therefore, the male child has a jealousy and anger towards his father, but if the child gets the proper attention and love from the father, this feeling of anger vanishes out as he grows. When this anger toward same-sex parent is suppressed then the child will forget his sexual desire for the opposite-sex parent. In this way, he can lead a normal life with his spouse.
This theory of Freud has been analyzed in many cases, and there has been consent on it. Many psychologists believe that Oedipus complex does exist in every child, and it can be abolished if the child has a normal and favorable relationship with both parents.
However, if the mother gives an unnecessary attention and love to her male child, and father has a tyranny attitude towards him then the child’s Oedipus complex will flourish with the passage of time.
