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

 ===Infantile TheorySexual Difference=== [[Freud]] first describes described the [[castration complex]] in 1908. The , arguing that the [[child]] -- on discovering the [[biology|anatomical]] [[sexual difference|difference between the sexes]] -- the [[presence]] or [[absenseabsence]] 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 [[penis envylacking]]). 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.

 The [[castration complex]] affects both sexes because its appearance is closely linked with the [[phallic phasesex]], a moment of psychosexual es because its [[developmentappearance]] when is closely linked with the child, whether boy or girl, knows only one genital organ - the male one.  The [[castration complex]]  The [[|phallic phase]] is , a moment of [[development|psychosexual development]] when the [[child]] -- , whether [[boy]] or [[girl]] -- knows only one , [[genitalknows]] only one [[bodypenis|genital organ]] - the [[male]] one.   The This [[phallic phase]] is also known as the [[castration complex|infantile genital organization. (organisation]] because it -- the [[phallic phase]] -- is the first moment when) The the [[drive|partialdrive]] s are [[driveunified]]s are unified under the primacy of the [[genital]] [[body|organ]]sorgans.   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 organsorgan]]s.<ref>{{F}} "[[Works of Sigmund Freud|The Infantile Genital Organization]]." 1923. [[SE ]] XIX. p.141</ref>

Freud argued that the castration complex is closely linked to the [[Oedipus Complex]], but that its role in the Oedipus complex is different for the boy and the girl.   The [[castration complex]] is closely linked to the [[Oedipus complex]]. Its role in the [[Oedipus complex]] is different for the [[boy]] and the [[girl]]. =<!-- ===BoyTreatment==== 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 threat -- the [[boyFreud]] renounces his [[desire]] for the [[mother]] -- and thus enters the [[development|latency period]]. ====Girl==== In the case of the [[girl]],  came to see the [[castration complex]] is the point of entry into the as a [[Oedipus complexuniversal]]. it phenomenon, one which is her resentment of the rooted in a basic "[[motherrejection]], whom she blames for depriving her of the [[penis]], that causes her to redirect her [[libido|libidinal]] desires away from the [[mother]] and onto the [[father]].  Because of this difference, in the case of the [[girlfemininity]] the [[Oedipus complex]] has no definitive terminal crisis comparable to the [[boy]]'s.<ref>{{F}} "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}} "[[Works of Sigmund Freud|Analysis Terminable and Interminable.]]," 1937. [[SE ]] XXIII. p.211</ref>-->

== Lacan =Symbolic Lack of an Imaginary Object===It is not until the mid-1950s that the [[castration complex]] comes to play a prominent role in [[Lacan]]'s [[seminars|teaching]], who talks more often about 'primarily in [[the seminar of 1956-7]]. It is in this [[seminar]] that [[Lacan]] [[identifies]] [[castrationcomplex|castration]] as one of [[three]]forms of "[[lack|lack of object]' than ']", 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 complex', |castration]] is defined by [[Lacan]] as a [[symbolic]] [[lack]] of an [[imaginary]] [[object]]; [[castration complex|castration]] does not discuss bear on the [[penis]] as a [[real]] [[biology|organ]], but on the [[imaginary]] [[phallus]].<ref>{{S4}} p. 219</ref> [[Lacan]]'s account of the [[castration complex very much in his early work. ]] is thus raised out of the [[dimension]] of simple [[biology]] or [[biology|anatomy]]:

He dedicates a few paragraphs <blockquote>"It is insoluble by any reduction to it in his article on the family, where he follows Freud in stating that castration is first and foremost a [[fantasybiological]] of the mutilation of the penisgivens."<ref>{{E}} p. 282</ref></blockquote>

Lacan links this fantasy with a whole series of fantasies of bodily dismemberment which originate in the ===Oedipus Complex===Following [[Freud]], [[imageLacan]] of argues that the [[fragmented bodycastration complex]]; this image is contemporary with the pivot on which the whole [[mirror stageOedipus complex]] (six to eighteen months), and it is only much later that these fantasies of dismemberment coalesce around the specific fantasy of castrationturns.<ref>{{LS4}} 1938. p.44216</ref> It is not until the mid-1950s However, whereas [[Freud]] argues that the castration these two [[complex comes to play a prominent role ]]es are articulated differently in Lacan'[[boy]]s teaching, primarily in and [[the seminar of 1956-7girl]].  It is in this seminar that Lacan identifies castration as one of three forms of 's, [[lackLacan]] of argues that the [[objectcastration complex]]', always denotes the final moment of the others being [[frustrationOedipus complex]] and in both [[privationsexes]].

Unlike frustration (which is an imaginary lack <!-- ==Two Operations== --><!-- From this account of a real object) and privation (which is a real lack of a symbolic object)the [[Oedipus complex]], castration it is defined by clear that [[Lacan as a ]] uses the term "[[symboliccastration]] lack " to refer to two different operations. --><!-- ===Castration of an imaginary object; the Mother===<!-- [[Lacan]] often uses the term "[[castration complex|castration does not bear on ]]" to [[speak]] of the penis as a real organ[[castration complex|castration]] -- or, more precisely, but on the "[[privation]]" -- of the [[imaginarymother]] . In the [[first time]] of the [[Oedipus complex]], "the mother is considered, by both sexes, as possessing the phallus, as the [[phallic]]mother."<ref>{{S4E}} p.219282</ref> By promulgating the [[incest taboo]] in the [[second time]], the [[imaginary]] [[father]] is seen to deprive her of this [[phallus]]. However, [[Lacan]] himself often uses these [[terms]] interchangeably, speaking both of the [[privation]] of the [[mother]] and of her [[castration complex|castration]].<!-- ===Castration of [[the Subject]]=== --><!-- This is [[castration complex|castration]] proper, in the [[sense]] of being a [[symbolic]] [[act]] 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]]. -->

LacanThe [[subject]] must renounce his attempts to be the [[phallus]] for the [[mother]]. In renouncing his attempts to be the [[object]] of the [[mother]]'s account of [[desire]], the castration complex [[subject]] gives up a certain ''[[jouissance]]'' which is thus raised out never regained despite all attempts to do so:<blockquote>"Castration means that ''jouissance'' must be refused so that it can be reached on the inverted ladder (''l'èchelle renversè'') of the dimension [[Law]] of simple [[biologydesire]] or anatomy: 'It is insoluble by any reduction to biological givens.'"<ref>{{E}} p.282324</ref></blockquote>

Following Freud, Lacan argues that This applies equally to [[boy]]s and [[girl]]s:<blockquote>"[This] [[relationship]] to the castration complex phallus . . . is established without [[regard]] to the pivot on which [[anatomical]] [[difference]] of the whole Oedipus complex turnssexes."<ref>{{S4E}} p.216282</ref></blockquote>

However<!-- ====Lack==== -->On a more fundamental level, whereas Freud argues that these two complexes are articulated differently in boys and girls, Lacan argues that the term [[castration complex always denotes |castration]] may also refer not to an "operation" -- the final moment 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 Oedipus complex [[subject]] realises at a very early [[stage]] that the [[mother]] is not [[lack|complete]] and [[autonomy|self-sufficient]] in both sexesherself, 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.

<!-- ==="Normalizing Effect"=== The [[castration complex]] presents the [[subject]] with a [[choice]]: to accept [[castration complex|castration]] or to deny it. [[Lacan divides ]] 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 Oedipus assumption of [[castration complex into three 'times'|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 [[refusal]] of [[castration complex|castration]] that lies at the root 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 a position is the [[neurosis|neurotic]] [[structure]], but even here the [[subject]] still [[defends]] himself against the [[lack]] in the [[Other]] by repressing [[awareness]] of [[castration complex|castration]]. This prevents the [[neurotic]] from fully assuming his [[desire]], since "it is the assumption of castration that creates the lack upon which desire is instituted."<ref>{{S5Ec}}; seminar of 22 January 1958p. 852</ref>

# In the first time, the child perceives that the A more radical [[motherdefense]] desires something beyond the child himself - namely, the [[imaginary]] [[phallus]] - and then tries to be the phallus for the mother (see against [[preoedipal phase]]). # In the second time, the [[imaginary]] [[father]] intervenes to deprive the mother of her object by promulgating the [[incest taboo]]; properly speaking, this is not castration but [[privation]].  # Castration is only realised 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 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, 227</ref> ===Two Operations===From this 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 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 ''[[jouissance]]'' 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 [[Law]] of [[desire]].'<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 is to be understood in terms of both [[psychopathology]] (clinical structures and symptoms) and [[sexual identity]]. ====Castration and Clinical Structures====It is the refusal of castration that lies at the root of all psychopathological structures.  However, since it is impossible to accept castration entirely, a completely 'normal' position is never achieved. The closest to such a position is the [[neurosis|neurotic]] [[structure]], but even here the subject still defends himself against the lack in the [[Other]] by repressing awareness of castration.  This prevents the neurotic from fully assuming his desire, since 'it is the assumption of castration that creates the lack upon which desire is instituted.'<ref>{{Ec}} p.852</ref> A more radical defence against castration than [[repression]] is [[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 the [[real]], such as in the [[form ]] of [[hallucinations]] of [[fragmented body|dismemberment ]] (as in the case of the [[Wolf Man]]) or even [[self]]-mutilation of the real genital organs. ====Castration and Sexual Identity====It is only by assuming castration (in both senses) that the subject can take up a sexual position as a man or a woman (see [[sexual differencereal]].  The different modalities of refusing castration find expression in the various forms of [[perversiongenital|genital organ]]s.

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

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