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

===Infantile TheoryPhallic Phase=== The [[Freudcastration complex]] first describes the affects both [[castration complexsex]] in 1908. The es because its [[childappearance]] -- on discovering is closely linked with the [[biologycastration complex|anatomicalphallic phase]] , a moment of [[sexual differencedevelopment|difference between the sexespsychosexual development]] -- when the [[presencechild]] or , whether [[absenseboy]] of the or [[penisgirl]] -- makes the assumption that this , [[sexual difference|differenceknows]] is due to the only one [[femalepenis|genital organ]]'s - the [[penismale]] having been cut off.<ref>{{F}} "On the Sexual Theories of Children. 1908one. This [[SEphase]] IX. p.207</ref>  In his view, is also known as the [[castration complex|infantile genital organisation]] because it is the first moment when one "infantile theory" -- that every the [[human]] [[being]] has a [[penis]] -- is replaced by a new one -- that [[femaledrive|partial drive]]s have been are [[castratedunified]].   The consequences under the primacy of this new infantile theory are different in the [[boygenital]] and in organs. It thus anticipates the [[girlgenital|genital organisation]].  The proper which arises at [[boydevelopment|puberty]] fears that his own [[penis]] will be cut off by , when the [[fathersubject]] ([[castration]] [[anxiety]]), while is aware of both the [[girlmale]] sees herself as already castrated (by and the [[motherfemale]]) and attempts to deny this or to compensate for it by seeking a [[childbiology|sexual organ]] as a substitute for the s.<ref>{{F}} "[[penisWorks of Sigmund Freud|The Infantile Genital Organization]] (." 1923. [[penis envySE]])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, who talks more often about '<blockquote>"It is insoluble by any reduction to [[castrationbiological]]' than 'the castration complex', does not discuss the castration complex very much in his early workgivens. "<ref>{{E}} p. 282</ref></blockquote>

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. ===Oedipus Complex=== Lacan links this fantasy with a whole series of fantasies of bodily dismemberment which originate in the Following [[imageFreud]] 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 teaching, primarily in [[the seminar of 1956-7]].  It is in this seminar argues that Lacan identifies castration as one of three forms of '[[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 [[imaginary]] [[phallus]].<ref>{{S4}} p.219</ref> Lacan's account of the castration complex is thus raised out of the dimension of simple [[biology]] or anatomy: 'It is insoluble 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 [[complex]]es 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 [[motherboy]] desires something beyond the child himself - namely, the [[imaginary]] [[phallus]] - s and then tries to be the phallus for the mother (see [[preoedipal phasegirl]]). # In the second times, the [[imaginaryLacan]] [[father]] intervenes to deprive the mother of her object by promulgating argues that the [[incest taboo]]; properly speaking, this is not castration but [[privationcomplex]].  # Castration is only realised in always denotes the third and final time, which represents the 'dissolution' moment 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 identitysexes]]. ====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 [[Lacan]] [[divides]] the [[neurosisOedipus complex]] into three "[[Oedipus complex|neurotictimes]] ".<ref>{{S5}}; [[Seminar]] of 22 January 1958</ref># In the first [[structuretime]], but even here the subject still defends [[child]] perceives that the [[mother]] [[desire]]s something beyond the [[child]] himself against - 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 lack [[incest taboo]]; properly [[speaking]], this is not [[castration complex|castration]] but [[privation]]. # [[castration complex|Castration]] is only realized in the [[Otherthird]] and final time, which represents the "[[dissolution]]" of the [[Oedipus complex]]. It is then that the [[real]] [[father]] intervenes by repressing awareness of castrationshowing that he really possesses 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>

This prevents <!-- ==Two Operations== --><!-- From this account of the neurotic from fully assuming his desire[[Oedipus complex]], since 'it is clear that [[Lacan]] uses the term "[[castration]]" to refer to two different operations. --><!-- ===Castration of the Mother===<!-- [[Lacan]] often uses the assumption term "[[castration complex|castration]]" to [[speak]] of the [[castration complex|castration that creates ]] -- or, more precisely, the "[[privation]]" -- of the [[mother]]. In the [[first time]] of the [[Oedipus complex]], "the lack upon which desire mother is institutedconsidered, by both sexes, as possessing the phallus, as the [[phallic]] mother.'"<ref>{{EcE}} p.852282</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]]. -->

A more radical defence against castration than The [[repressionsubject]] is must renounce his attempts to be the [[phallus]] for the [[mother]]. In renouncing his attempts to be the [[object]] of the [[mother]]'s [[disavowaldesire]], the [[subject]] gives up a certain ''[[jouissance]]'' which is at never regained despite all attempts to do so:<blockquote>"Castration means that ''jouissance'' must be refused so that it can be reached on the root inverted ladder (''l'èchelle renversè'') of the [[perversion|perverseLaw]] of [[structuredesire]]. "<ref>{{E}} p. 324</ref></blockquote>

The This applies equally to [[psychoticboy]] takes s and [[girl]]s:<blockquote>"[This] [[relationship]] to the most extreme path phallus . . . is established without [[regard]] to the [[anatomical]] [[difference]] of all; he completely repudiates castration, as if it had never existedthe sexes."<ref>{{S1E}} 53p. 282</ref></blockquote>

This repudiation of symbolic <!-- ====Lack==== -->On a more fundamental level, the term [[castration complex|castration leads ]] may also refer not to an "operation" -- the return result of castration an [[intervention]] by the [[imaginary]] or [[real]] [[father]] -- but to a [[state]] of [[lack]] which already [[exists]] in the real[[mother]] prior to the [[subject]]'s [[birth]]. This [[lack]] is evident in her own [[desire]], such which the [[subject]] perceives as in a [[desire]] for the form of [[hallucinationsimaginary]] [[phallus]] of dismemberment (as in . That is, the case of [[subject]] realises at a very early [[stage]] that the [[Wolf Manmother]] is not [[lack|complete]]) or even and [[autonomy|self-mutilation of 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 real genital organs[[Other]] is not [[lack|complete]] but [[lack]]ing.

<!-- ====Castration and Sexual Identity="Normalizing Effect"===It 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 [[castration (complex|castration]] has a "[[normalizing effect]]". This [[normalising effect]] is to be [[understood]] in terms of both senses[[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 subject can take up root of all [[neurosis|psychopathological]] [[structure]]s. However, since it is [[impossible]] to accept [[castration complex|castration]] entirely, a sexual completely "normal" [[position as ]] is never achieved. The closest to such a man or a woman (see 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 [[sexual differencedesire]], since "it is the assumption of castration that creates the lack upon which desire is instituted."<ref>{{Ec}} p. 852</ref>

A more radical [[defense]] against [[castration complex|castration]] than [[repression]] is [[disavowal]], which is at the root of the [[perversion|perverse]] [[structure]]. The different modalities [[psychotic]] takes the most extreme path of refusing all; he completely repudiates [[castration find expression 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 various forms case of the [[perversionWolf Man]]) or even [[self]]-mutilation of the [[real]] [[genital|genital organ]]s.

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

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