Post Number Two: Freud and Sexuality

Freud's theory of the development of sexuality applies only to boys--his theory for girls was derived from his theory for boys, and it doesn't make too much sense. But for boys, and I am a boy, he says that sexuality begins with a sense of oneness with the mother. The separation from the mother's body at birth does not register with the boy psychologically until much later, when he realizes that he has a penis. His fondness for his penis is met with threats of punishment for his female caregivers, and when he eventually sees female genitalia, he interprets the presence of the vagina as a lack of a penis--then he connects the dots and realizes that the the female caregivers are men that have already been castrated, and that they may also castrate him. He can then identify with his mother's passive sexual experience of his father, or he can actively identify with his father and imagine sex with his mother. Tada.

I think it's a good theory. It doesn't explain every situation, and it sort of stops making sense after the castration anxiety bit comes in, but it's a useful tool to use when interpreting the sexual behavior of men and their attitudes toward women. For example, the theory would interpret misogyny as fear that one is not manly enough--which I believe is accurate. It also explains the jealousy and aggression between fathers and sons, especially sons of particularly doting mothers.

As far as my own sexuality goes, I think Freud's theory applies to me better than it does to most. While I don't play sports, I do constantly do exhibitionistic things--both artistically and sexually--just to prove to myself that no one will castrate me.

Also, once when I was two, my mother was carrying me upstairs, and my dad said from the bottom, "Where are you guys going?" I replied, "Upstairs." He said, "Can I come?" And I made a little gun with my hand and said, "Bang!"