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"{{Topp}}[[castration complex]complexe]" ([[Fr]]. ''[[complexe de castration]]''){{Bottom}}

===Sigmund Freud=====Sexual Difference===[[Freud]] first described the [[castration complex]] in 1908, arguing that the [[child]] - on discovering the [[biology|anatomical]] [[sexual difference|difference between the sexes]] -- the [[presence]] or [[absence]] of the [[penis]] - makes the assumption that this [[sexual difference|difference]] is due to the [[female]]'s [[penis]] having been cut off.<ref>{{F}} "[[Works of Sigmund Freud|On the Sexual Theories of Children]]". 1908. [[SE]] IX. p. 207</ref> In his view, the [[castration complex]] is the [[moment]] when one "[[castration complex|infantile theory]]" -- that every [[human]] [[being]] has a [[penis]] -- is replaced by a new one -- that [[female]]s have been [[castrated]]. The consequences of this new [[castration complex|infantile theory]] are different in the [[boy]] and in the [[girl]]. The [[boy]] fears that his own [[penis]] will be cut off by the [[father]] ([[castration]] [[anxiety]]), while the [[girl]] sees herself as already castrated (by the [[mother]]) and attempts to deny this or to compensate for it by seeking a [[child]] as a [[substitute]] for the [[penis]]. These [[unconscious]] representations, in [[phantasy]], cover over the lack at the heart of being in the Other and allow the subject to imagine (feel) as though they are special or fulfilled (not [[lacking]]). Fear of [[psychic]] castration is thus met with a phantasy which positions the subject as not lacking which props up the ego as being of central importance.

====Infantile Theory=Phallic Phase===The [[castration complex]] affects both [[sex]]es because its [[appearance]] is closely linked with the [[castration complex|phallic phase]], a moment of [[development|psychosexual development]] when the [[child]], whether [[boy]] or [[girl]], [[knows]] only one [[penis|genital organ]] - the [[male]] one. This [[phase]] is also known as the [[castration complex|infantile genital organisation]] because it is the first moment when the [[drive|partial drive]]s are [[unified]] under the primacy of the [[genital]] organs. It thus anticipates the [[genital|genital organisation]] proper which arises at [[development|puberty]], when the [[subject]] is aware of both the [[male]] and the [[female]] [[biology|sexual organ]]s.<ref>{{F}} "[[Works of Sigmund Freud|The Infantile Genital Organization]]." 1923. [[SE]] XIX. p. 141</ref>

===Oedipus Complex===[[Freud]] first described argued that the [[castration complex]] in 1908, arguing that is closely linked to the [[childOedipus complex]], on discovering the anatomical difference between the sexes (the [[presence]] or [[absence]] of the [[penis]]), makes the assumption but that this difference is due to the its [[femalerole]]'s [[penis]] having been cut off.<ref>{{F}} "On in the Sexual Theories of Children. 1908. SE IX. p.207</ref>  The [[castration Oedipus complex]] is thus the moment when one infantile theory (everyone has a [[penis]]) is replaced by a new one ([[female]]s have been castrated).  The consequences of this new infantile theory are different in for the [[boy]] and in the [[girl]].  The In the [[boycase]] fears that his own [[penis]] will be cut off by of the [[father]] ([[castration]] [[anxietyboy]]), while the [[girl]] sees herself as already castrated (by the [[mother]]) and attempts to deny this or to compensate for it by seeking a [[child]] as a substitute for the [[penis]] ([[penis envy]]). ====Phallic Phase====The castration complex affects both sexes because its appearance is closely linked with the [[phallic phase]], a moment of psychosexual [[development]] when the child, whether boy or girl, knows only one genital organ - the male one. This phase is also known as the infantile genital organisation because it is the first moment when the partial drives are unified under the primacy point of the genital organs.  It thus anticipates the genital organisation proper which arises at puberty, when the subject is aware of both the male and the female sexual organs.<ref>{{F}} "The Infantile Genital Organization." 1923. SE XIX. p.141</ref> ====Oedipus Complex==== Freud argued that the castration complex is closely linked to exit from the [[Oedipus Complexcomplex]], but that its role in the Oedipus complex is different for the boy and the girl.  In the case of the boy, the castration complex is the point of exit from the Oedipus complex, its terminal crisis; because of his [[fear ]] of [[castration (]] -- often aroused by a [[fear|threat) ]] -- the [[boy ]] renounces his [[desire]] for the [[mother ]] and thus enters the [[development|latency period]].  In the case of the [[girl]], the [[castration complex ]] is the point of entry into the [[Oedipus complex]]; it is her resentment of the [[mother]], whom she blames for depriving her of the [[penis]], that causes her to redirect her [[libido|libidinal]] desires [[desire]]s away from the [[mother ]] and onto the [[father]].  Because of this [[sexual difference|difference]], in the case of the [[girl ]] the [[Oedipus complex ]] has no definitive terminal crisis comparable to the [[boy]]'s.<ref>{{F}} "[[Works of Sigmund Freud|The Dissolution of the Oedipus Complex.]]," 1924. [[SE ]] XIX p.173</ref> ====Conclusion====Freud came to see the castration complex as a universal phenomenon, one which is rooted in a basic 'rejection of femininity' (Ablehnung der Weiblich-keit).  It is encountered in every subject, and represents the ultimate limit beyond which psychoanalytic treatment cannot go.<ref>{{F}} "Analysis Terminable and Interminable." 1937. SE XXIII. p.211</ref>

== Lacan =Symbolic Lack of an Imaginary Object===Lacan, who talks more often about '[[castration]]' than 'the castration complex', does not discuss the castration complex very much in his early work.  He dedicates a few paragraphs to it in his article on the family, where he follows Freud in stating that castration is first and foremost a [[fantasy]] of the mutilation of the penis.  Lacan links this fantasy with a whole series of fantasies of bodily dismemberment which originate in the [[image]] of the [[fragmented body]]; this image is contemporary with the [[mirror stage]] (six to eighteen months), and it is only much later that these fantasies of dismemberment coalesce around the specific fantasy of castration.<ref>{{L}} 1938. p.44</ref> It is not until the mid-1950s that the [[castration complex ]] comes to play a prominent role in [[Lacan]]'s [[seminars|teaching]], primarily in [[the seminar of 1956-7]].  It is in this [[seminar ]] that [[Lacan ]] [[identifies ]] [[castration complex|castration ]] as one of [[three ]] forms of '"[[lack]] |lack of [[object]]'", the [[others ]] being [[frustration]] and [[privation]].   Unlike [[frustration (]] -- which is an [[imaginary ]] [[lack ]] of a [[real ]] [[object) ]] -- and [[privation (]] -- which is a [[real ]] [[lack ]] of a symbolic object), castration is defined by Lacan as a [[symbolic]] lack of an imaginary object; castration does not bear on the penis as a real organ, but on the [[imaginaryobject]] , [[phallus]].<ref>{{S4}} p.219</ref> Lacan's account of the castration complex is thus raised out of the dimension of simple [[biology|castration]] or anatomy: 'It is insoluble defined by any reduction to biological givens.'<ref>{{E}} p.282</ref> Following Freud, Lacan argues that the castration complex is the pivot on which the whole Oedipus complex turns.<ref>{{S4}} p.216</ref> However, whereas Freud argues that these two complexes are articulated differently in boys and girls, Lacan argues that the castration complex always denotes the final moment of the Oedipus complex in both sexes.  Lacan divides the Oedipus complex into three 'times'.<ref>{{S5}}; seminar of 22 January 1958</ref> # In the first time, the child perceives that the [[motherLacan]] desires something beyond the child himself - namely, the as a [[imaginarysymbolic]] [[phalluslack]] - and then tries to be the phallus for the mother (see of an [[preoedipal phaseimaginary]]). # In the second time, the [[imaginaryobject]] ; [[fathercastration complex|castration]] intervenes to deprive the mother of her object by promulgating does not bear on the [[incest taboopenis]]; properly speaking, this is not castration but as a [[privationreal]].  # Castration is only realised in the third and final time, which represents the 'dissolution' of the Oedipus complex.  It is then that the [[realbiology|organ]] , but on the [[fatherimaginary]] intervenes by showing that he really posesses the [[phallus]], in such a way that the child is forced to abandon his attempts to be the phallus.<ref>{{S4}} p.208-9, 227219</ref> ===Two Operations===From this [[Lacan]]'s account of the Oedipus complex, it is clear that Lacan uses the term '[[castration' to refer to two different operations: ====Castration of the Mother====In the first time of the Oedipus complex, "the mother ]] is considered, by both sexes, as possessing the phallus, as the phallic mother."<ref>{{E}} p.282</ref>  By promulgating the incest taboo in the second time, the imaginary father is seen to deprive her of this phallus.  Lacan argues that properly speaking, this is not castration but privation.  However, Lacan himself often uses these terms interchangeably, speaking both thus raised out of the privation of the mother and of her castration. ====Castration of the Subject====This is castration proper, in the sense of being a symbolic act which bears on an imaginary object.  Whereas the castration/privation of the mother which comes about in the second time of the Oedipus complex negates the verb 'to have' (the mother does not have the phallus), the castration of the subject in the third time of the Oedipus complex negates the verb 'to be' (the subject must renounce his attempts to be the phallus for the mother).  In renouncing his attempts to be the object of the mother's desire, the subject gives up a certain ''[[jouissancedimension]]'' which is never regained despite all attempts to do so; 'Castration means that ''jouissance'' must be refused so that it can be reached on the inverted ladder (''l'èchelle renversè'') of the simple [[Lawbiology]] of or [[desirebiology|anatomy]].'<ref>{{E}} 324</ref> This applies equally to boys and girls: this 'relationship to the phallus . . . is established without regard to the anatomical difference of the sexes.'<ref>{{E}} p.282</ref> On a more fundamental level, the term castration may also refer not to an 'operation' (the result of an intervention by the imaginary or real father) but to a state of lack which already exists in the mother prior to the subject's birth. This lack is evident in her own desire, which the subject perceives as a desire for the imaginary phallus.  That is, the subject realises at a very early stage that the mother is not complete and self-sufficient in herself, nor fully satisfied with her child (the subject himself), but desires something else.  This is the subject's first perception that the Other is not complete but lacking. ===Normalizing Effect===Both forms of castration (of the mother and of the subject) present the subject with a choice: to accept castration or to deny it.  Lacan argues that it is only by accepting (or 'assuming') castration that the subject can reach a degree of psychic normality.

In other words, the assumption of castration has a 'normalising effect'. This normalising effect <blockquote>"It is insoluble by any reduction to be understood in terms of both [[psychopathology]] (clinical structures and symptoms) and [[sexual identitybiological]]givens."<ref>{{E}} p.282</ref></blockquote>

====Castration and Clinical Structures=Oedipus Complex===It Following [[Freud]], [[Lacan]] argues that the [[castration complex]] is the refusal of pivot on which the whole [[Oedipus complex]] turns.<ref>{{S4}} p. 216</ref> However, whereas [[Freud]] argues that these two [[complex]]es are articulated differently in [[boy]]s and [[girl]]s, [[Lacan]] argues that the [[castration that lies at complex]] always denotes the root final moment of all psychopathological structuresthe [[Oedipus complex]] in both [[sexes]].

However[[Lacan]] [[divides]] the [[Oedipus complex]] into three "[[Oedipus complex|times]]".<ref>{{S5}}; [[Seminar]] of 22 January 1958</ref># In the first [[time]], the [[child]] perceives that the [[mother]] [[desire]]s something beyond the [[child]] himself - namely, the [[imaginary]] [[phallus]] -- and then tries to be the [[phallus]] for the [[mother]] (see [[preoedipal phase]]).# In the second time, the [[imaginary]] [[father]] intervenes to deprive the [[mother]] of her [[object]] by promulgating the [[incest taboo]]; properly [[speaking]], since it this is impossible to accept not [[castration complex|castration]] but [[privation]]. # [[castration entirelycomplex|Castration]] is only realized in the [[third]] and final time, which represents the "[[dissolution]]" of the [[Oedipus complex]]. It is then that the [[real]] [[father]] intervenes by showing that he really possesses the [[phallus]], in such a completely 'normal' position way that the [[child]] is never achieved[[forced]] to abandon his attempts to be the [[phallus]].<ref>{{S4}} p.208-9, 227</ref>

The closest <!-- ==Two Operations== --><!-- From this account of the [[Oedipus complex]], it is clear that [[Lacan]] uses the term "[[castration]]" to refer to such a position two different operations. --><!-- ===Castration of the Mother===<!-- [[Lacan]] often uses the term "[[castration complex|castration]]" to [[speak]] of the [[castration complex|castration]] -- or, more precisely, the "[[privation]]" -- of the [[mother]]. In the [[first time]] of the [[Oedipus complex]], "the mother is considered, by both sexes, as possessing the phallus, as the [[neurosis|neuroticphallic]] mother."<ref>{{E}} p.282</ref> By promulgating the [[incest taboo]] in the [[structuresecond time]], but even here the subject still defends [[imaginary]] [[father]] is seen to deprive her of this [[phallus]]. However, [[Lacan]] himself against often uses these [[terms]] interchangeably, speaking both of the [[privation]] of the [[mother]] and of her [[castration complex|castration]].<!-- ===Castration of [[the lack Subject]]=== --><!-- This is [[castration complex|castration]] proper, in the [[Othersense]] of being a [[symbolic]] [[act]] by repressing awareness which bears on an [[imaginary]] [[object]]. Whereas the [[castration complex|castration]]/[[privation]] of the [[mother]] which comes about in the second time of the [[Oedipus complex]] negates the verb "to have" -- the [[mother]] does not have the [[phallus]], the [[castration complex|castration]] of the [[subject]] in the [[third time]] of the [[Oedipus complex]] negates the verb "to be" -- the [[subject]] must [[renounce]] his attempts to be the [[phallus]] for the [[mother]]. -->

This prevents The [[subject]] must renounce his attempts to be the neurotic from fully assuming [[phallus]] for the [[mother]]. In renouncing his attempts to be the [[object]] of the [[mother]]'s [[desire]], since the [[subject]] gives up a certain ''[[jouissance]]'' which is never regained despite all attempts to do so:<blockquote>"Castration means that ''jouissance'' must be refused so that it is can be reached on the assumption inverted ladder (''l'èchelle renversè'') of castration that creates the lack upon which [[Law]] of [[desire is instituted]].'"<ref>{{EcE}} p.852324</ref></blockquote>

A more radical defence against castration than This applies equally to [[repressionboy]] s and [[girl]]s:<blockquote>"[This] [[relationship]] to the phallus . . . is established without [[disavowalregard]], which is at the root of to the [[perversion|perverseanatomical]] [[structuredifference]]of the sexes."<ref>{{E}} p. 282</ref></blockquote>

The <!-- ====Lack==== -->On a more fundamental level, the term [[psychoticcastration complex|castration]] takes may also refer not to an "operation" -- the most extreme path result of all; he completely repudiates castrationan [[intervention]] by the [[imaginary]] or [[real]] [[father]] -- but to a [[state]] of [[lack]] which already [[exists]] in the [[mother]] prior to the [[subject]]'s [[birth]]. This [[lack]] is evident in her own [[desire]], which the [[subject]] perceives as if it had never existeda [[desire]] for the [[imaginary]] [[phallus]]. That is, the [[subject]] realises at a very early [[stage]] that the [[mother]] is not [[lack|complete]] and [[autonomy|self-sufficient]] in herself, nor fully [[satisfied]] with her [[child]] (the [[subject]] himself), but [[desire]]s something else. This is the [[subject]]'s first [[perception]] that the [[Other]] is not [[lack|complete]] but [[lack]]ing.<ref>{{S1}} 53</ref>

This repudiation <!-- ==="Normalizing Effect"=== The [[castration complex]] presents the [[subject]] with a [[choice]]: to accept [[castration complex|castration]] or to deny it. [[Lacan]] argues that it is only by accepting (or "assuming") [[castration complex|castration]] that the [[subject]] can reach a degree of [[psyche|psychic]] [[perversion|normality]]. In other [[words]], the assumption of symbolic [[castration leads complex|castration]] has a "[[normalizing effect]]". This [[normalising effect]] is to be [[understood]] in terms of both [[psychopathology]] ([[clinic]]al [[structure]]s and [[symptom]]s) and [[sexual identity]].-->===Clinical Structures===It is the return [[refusal]] of [[castration in complex|castration]] that lies at the realroot of all [[neurosis|psychopathological]] [[structure]]s. However, since it is [[impossible]] to accept [[castration complex|castration]] entirely, a completely "normal" [[position]] is never achieved. The closest to such as in a position is the [[neurosis|neurotic]] [[structure]], but even here the [[subject]] still [[defends]] himself against the form of [[hallucinationslack]] of dismemberment (as in the case [[Other]] by repressing [[awareness]] of [[castration complex|castration]]. This prevents the [[Wolf Manneurotic]] from fully assuming his [[desire]]) or even self-mutilation , since "it is the assumption of castration that creates the real genital organslack upon which desire is instituted."<ref>{{Ec}} p.852</ref>

====Castration and Sexual Identity====It A more radical [[defense]] against [[castration complex|castration]] than [[repression]] is only by assuming [[disavowal]], which is at the root of the [[perversion|perverse]] [[structure]]. The [[psychotic]] takes the most extreme path of all; he completely repudiates [[castration complex|castration]], as if it had never existed.<ref>{{S1}} p. 53</ref> This [[repudiation]] of [[castration complex|symbolic castration]] leads to the [[return]] of [[castration (complex|castration]] in both senses) that the subject can take up a sexual position [[real]], such as a man or a woman (see in the [[form]] of [[sexual differencehallucinations]].  The different modalities of refusing castration find expression [[fragmented body|dismemberment]] (as in the various forms case of the [[Wolf Man]]) or even [[self]]-mutilation of the [[perversionreal]] [[genital|genital organ]]s.

[[Category:TermsSexuality]][[Category:DictionaryDevelopment]]

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