The Electra complex is a normal phase of the psychosexual development of most girls in whom there is a great affection for the father and a feeling of rancor or ill-will toward the mother, and it may even be possible for the girl to try to compete with her mother to try gain the attention of the father.
Generally, this phase appears between 3 and 6 years, and is slight, but may vary according to the girl and her degree of development. In most cases, the complex happens because the father is the first contact the girl has with the opposite sex.
However, there may also be girls in whom this complex does not arise, especially when they have contact with other children from a very early age, starting with meeting other boys who arouse attention by the opposite sex.
How to identify the Electra complex
Some signs that may indicate that the girl is entering the stage of the Electra complex include:
- The need to always put between the father and the mother to drive them away;
- Uncontrollable crying when the father needs to leave the house;
- Feelings of great affection towards the father, that can lead the girl to verbalize the desire to marry the father one day;
- Negative feelings about the mother, especially when the father is present.
These signs are normal and temporary, so it should not be a concern for parents. However, if they persist after age 7 or if they get worse over time, it may be important to see a psychologist to confirm the diagnosis and initiate treatment if necessary.
Is the Electra complex similar to the Oedipus complex?
At its base, the Electra and Oedipus complexes are similar. While Electra's complex happens in the girl in relation to the feelings of affection for the father, the compécleo of Oedipus happens in the boy in relation to its mother.
However, the complexes were defined by different physicians, and the Oedipus complex arose originally described by Freud, while the Electra complex was later described by Carl Jung. See more about the Oedipus complex and how it manifests in boys.
When it can be a problem
The Electra complex usually resolves itself, and without major complications, as the girl grows and observes how her mother acts in relation to the opposite sex. In addition, the mother also helps to establish boundaries in relationships between family members, especially between the parent and the parent.
However, when the mother is very absent or punishes her daughter for her actions during this period of her life, it may end up hindering the natural resolution of the complex, which causes the girl to maintain her strong feelings of affection for her father, who may end up becoming feelings of love, resulting in an ill-resolved Electra complex.
How to handle the Electra complex
There is no right way to deal with the Electra complex, however, paying little attention to the feelings of love verbalized about the parent and avoiding punishing the girl for these actions seem to help to overcome this phase faster and not to enter a complex of Electra badly resolved.
Another important step is to show the role of the father, who, although it is love, serves only to protect her and that her true partner is the mother.
After this phase, the girls usually show no resentment towards the mother and begin to understand the role of both parents, starting to see the mother as a reference and the father as the model for the type of person they want to one day by their side .
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