From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia

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The phallic stage is the third of Sigmund Freud's psychosexual stages, when awareness of and manipulation of the genitals is supposed to be a primary source of pleasure. In this stage the child deals with the Oedipus complex, if male, or the Electra complex, if female. According to Freud, this stage first occurs around the age of five and a half years. According to Freud, if a child is allowed too much pleasure at this stage, or is not allowed enough pleasure at this stage, they will become fixated, leading to a Phallic Personality. This can be characterized by self assurance, vanity, or impulsive behaviour.

Female sexuality and criticism of Freud's theories

Freud believed that it was natural for female children in this stage to focus on the clitoris as their primary organ for sexual pleasure. He believed that upon reaching adulthood and sexual maturity, a female's primary sexual focus shifts to the vagina. There is considerable criticism regarding this theory, as it portrays adult women who continue to enjoy and/or orgasm from clitoral stimulation as having not reached full sexual maturity.

See also

• Psychosexual development
  • Oral stage
  • Anal stage
  • Genital stage