Children from a very early age prefer one of their parents more than another, and it always develops in the same way, that is, boys become much closer to mothers and girls to their fathers. All this has a scientific explanation called the theory of sexuality.
This theory was described by Sigmund Freud, which described that a person's development originated through their sexuality. But this sexuality did not refer to the concept of the genital area but rather covered a broader range of human affectivity.
One of these three phases is the one that basically explains this theory of sexuality, the so-called phallic phase, which is between 3 and 5 years of age, where the little ones are already curious about their own body, exploring it and discovering their genitals. In addition, they will be attracted to the difference between their sexes and that of others.
Oedipus complex
The Oedipus complex refers to the complex love that the child feels for his mother. The boy feels an erotic desire for his mother seeing his father as a rival. Freud defined this complex as the unconscious desire of the child to have a sexual relationship with the parent of the opposite sex (mother) and eliminate the same sex (father).
He named it Oedipus complex by the Greek myth of Oedipus Rex, who killed his father and then married his mother.
The child adopts a possessive attitude preventing their parents from having expressions of affection between them. This is because the child is looking for an identification and model of behavior. Once this stage is over, the child will try to look like his rival, identifying with him and becoming a model of life.
Electra complex
In this case, it is the love feels the girl for the father, seeing the mother as a rival. This name was awarded by Carl Gustav Jung to designate the counterpart of the Oedipus complex, for whom Freud did not agree.
El electra complex It is something very common in girls at some point in childhood. However, this infatuation of the daughter towards her father can reach more, generating a rivalry towards her mother. Although, this stage goes unnoticed, since the girls maintain a very close bond with her mother, which makes it difficult for her to be competitive with her.
Therefore, if the phase is resolved normally, the girl will assume defeat, assuming that her father's love is her mother and she will set out to find love in another man. However, if it does not resolve, a pathological abnormality may result.
How should parents act before these complexes?
For the boy and the girl to overcome this stage without any type of trauma, the parents are the key point of support so that they find their proper sex role. Therefore, this stage should be taken positively, without giving it much importance.
You have to live like something temporary, although without hurting the feelings of the children. You have to help them by doing all kinds of family activities, as well as with other children, so that they interact with people other than those in their circle.
As for the children, they will continue to cling to the affection of their mothers, but their jealousy towards their fathers will decrease when they discover certain common hobbies with him, such as soccer. Regarding girls, around 5 or 6 years old, he will begin to realize that he is very similar to her mother, so he will begin to imitate her and identify with her, thus forgetting about this attraction to his father.
It will be true because my daughter, as a child,
always went by my hand.