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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>-->

===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]], primarily in [[the seminar of 1956-- who talks more often about 7]]. It is in this [[seminar]] that [[Lacan]] [[identifies]] [[castration complex|castration]] as one of [[three]] forms of "[[castrationlack|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 [[fantasy]] of the mutilation of the [[penisbiological]]givens."<ref>{{E}} p. 282</ref></blockquote>

===Oedipus Complex===Following [[LacanFreud]] links this , [[fantasyLacan]] with a whole series of fantasies of bodily dismemberment which originate in argues that the [[imagecastration complex]] of is the [[fragmented body]]; this image is contemporary with 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> --However, whereas [[Freud]] argues that these two [[complex]]es are articulated differently in [[boy]]s and [[girl]]s, [[Lacan]] argues that the [[castration complex]] always denotes the final moment of the [[Oedipus complex]] in both [[sexes]].

It is not until [[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 mid[[imaginary]] [[phallus]] --1950s that 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]], this is not [[castration complex comes to play a prominent role |castration]] but [[privation]]. # [[castration complex|Castration]] is only realized in Lacan's teachingthe [[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]], primarily in such a way that the [[child]] is [[forced]] to abandon his attempts to be the seminar of 1956-7[[phallus]]. <ref>{{S4}} p. 208-9, 227</ref>

It <!-- ==Two Operations== --><!-- From this account of the [[Oedipus complex]], it is in this seminar clear that [[Lacan]] uses the term "[[castration]]" to refer to two different operations. --><!-- ===Castration of the Mother===<!-- [[Lacan identifies ]] 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 one 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 three forms this [[phallus]]. However, [[Lacan]] himself often uses these [[terms]] interchangeably, speaking both of 'the [[privation]] of the [[mother]] and of her [[lackcastration complex|castration]] .<!-- ===Castration of [[objectthe Subject]]=== --><!-- This is [[castration complex|castration]]'proper, in the others [[sense]] of being a [[frustrationsymbolic]] and [[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]]. -->

Unlike frustration (which is an imaginary lack of a real object) This applies equally to [[boy]]s and privation (which is a real lack of a symbolic object), castration [[girl]]s:<blockquote>"[This] [[relationship]] to the phallus . . . is defined by Lacan as a established without [[symbolicregard]] lack of an imaginary object; castration does not bear on the penis as a real organ, but on to the [[imaginaryanatomical]] [[phallusdifference]]of the sexes."<ref>{{S4E}} p.219282</ref></blockquote>

Lacan's account of <!-- ====Lack==== -->On a more fundamental level, the term [[castration complex is thus raised out |castration]] may also refer not to an "operation" -- the result of an [[intervention]] by the dimension [[imaginary]] or [[real]] [[father]] -- but to a [[state]] of simple [[biologylack]] which already [[exists]] in the [[mother]] prior to the [[subject]] or anatomy: 'It 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 insoluble by any reduction to biological givensnot [[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]]'<ref>{{E}} ps first [[perception]] that the [[Other]] is not [[lack|complete]] but [[lack]]ing.282</ref>

<!--==="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 [[castration 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 [[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>{{Ec}} p. 852</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 [[mother]] desires 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, 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==== [[Lacan]] often uses the term "[[castration]]" to speak of the [[castration]] -- or, A more precisely, the "radical [[privationdefense]]" -- of the against [[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]].  (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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