The Electra complex is a concept developed by psychiatrist Carl Jung, and is a normal phase of the psychosexual development of most girls, in which there is great affection for the father and a feeling of resentment, or ill will, towards the mother, and may even It may be possible for a girl to try to compete with her mother to gain her father’s attention.
Generally, this phase appears between the ages of 3 and 6, and is mild, but can vary according to the girl and her level of development. In most cases, the complex happens because the father is the girl’s first contact with the opposite sex.
Just like the Oedipus complex, developed by Sigmund Freud, the resolution of the Electra complex will influence the development of adult sexual life and how the girl relates to the opposite sex.
How to identify Electra complex
Some signs that may indicate that the girl is entering the Electra complex phase include:
- Need to always put oneself between the father and mother to keep them away;
- Uncontrolled crying when the father needs to leave the house;
- Feelings of great affection towards the father, which can lead the girl to express her desire to marry her father one day;
- Negative feelings towards the mother, especially when the father is present.
These signs are normal and temporary, so they should not be a concern for parents. However, if they persist after the age of 7 or if they worsen over time, it may be important to consult a pediatrician to confirm the diagnosis and begin treatment, if necessary.
Is the Electra complex similar to the Oedipus complex?
At their base, the Electra and Oedipus complexes are similar. While the Electra complex occurs in a girl in relation to her feelings of affection for her father, the Oedipus complex occurs in a boy in relation to his mother.
However, the complexes were defined by different doctors, with the Oedipus complex originally described by Freud, while the Electra complex was later described by Carl Jung. See more about the Oedipus complex and how it manifests itself in boys.
When it might be a problem
Electra’s complex usually resolves itself, and without major complications, as the girl grows and observes the way her mother acts towards the opposite sex. Furthermore, it is the father who must establish the limits of the father-daughter relationship, so that the girl realizes that it is other children with whom she should play and interact.
However, when the mother is very absent or punishes her daughter for her actions during that period of her life, it can end up making the natural resolution of the complex difficult, which causes the girl to maintain her strong feelings of affection for her father, which can end up turning into feelings of love, resulting in an unresolved Electra complex.
How to deal with Electra complex
There is no right way to deal with Electra’s complex, however, paying little attention to the feelings of love expressed towards her father and avoiding punishing the girl for these actions seem to help her overcome this phase faster and avoid entering into a complex. of Electra unresolved.
Another important step is to show the role of the father, which, although loving, only serves to protect her and that her true companion is her mother.
After this phase, girls generally stop showing resentment towards their mother and begin to understand the role of both parents, starting to see their mother as a reference and their father as a model for the type of person they want by their side one day. .
