“Sex” and the Oedipus Complex, Research Paper Example

Sex and everything connected with are examined within the scope of a scientific interest and investigation, resulted in many valuable researches; most people became to pay more attention to this topic. People’s sexual life has always been of current interest, and caused many points to be discussed. The scientific papers of prominent researches about sex, sex roles, sex theories, sexual behavior, disorders and other topics appeared in the field of psychology and biology. The aim of this paper is to reveal such terms, like “sex” and “the Oedipus complex” from biological and physiological point of view, and to find some relations between these concepts.

It seems to be essential to examine the problem of sex and the Oedipus complex; it will help to reveal their nature, and understand what relations they have. Edward Wilson’s book about human behavior and Sigmund Froid’s theory about the Oedipus complex inspired this paper. Also, the psychological encyclopedia by Henry Gleitman will be useful in this context, as it has necessary references to the researches on the subject under review.

Wilson is an American biologist and researcher of XX century, who dedicated most of his works to evolution, sociobiology, and environmental issues. In his book about the human nature, Wilson gives his own explanation of “sex”:

“Sex is central to human biology and a protean phenomenon that permeates every aspect of our existence and takes new forms through each step in the life cycle. Its complexity and ambiguity are due to the fact that sex is not designed primarily for reproduction” (Wilson 121).

According to this statement, the author wants to show that in spite of the fact that a human being is a nature’s child, in contrast to animals, he/she lives a sexual life regardless of natural need for reproduction. In his book, he analyses the concept of “sex” in the context of a human behavior and biology. If not for reproduction, for what do living creatures need sex? Wilson develops his idea in other statements: “Nor is the primarily function of sex the giving and receiving of pleasure” (Wilson 121). In contrast to people, animals perform the sexual act mechanically; their sexual act has a reproductive character.

In addition, the author describes the conflict of interests between animals and human beings. People should obey not only the nature’s imperatives, but the culture, as well. Some cultures permit a man to have several wives; others are not. In contrast to animal, humanity has much more complex sexual process. Wilson’s analysis on the human sex and sex roles suggests that people control natural instincts. The modern equity of males and females, and such concepts, like love, childcare, and faith influence human behavior. When the author describes the importance of a family for human society, he states that the “family …remains one of the universals of human social organization” (Wilson 135). The researcher also reveals the human values as one of the primary movers. These values are expressed in various emotions: enthusiasm, triumph, satisfaction, pleasure, etc.:

“Although natural selection has been the prime mover, it works through a cascade of decisions based on secondary values that have historically served as the enabling mechanisms for survival and reproductive success” (Wilson 199).

Taking everything mentioned in consideration, it is possible to state that Wilson underlines the value of sex in human life, and shows that reproduction is not its main function. According to his book, human beings have a complicated sexual life conditioned by many factors. Sex is not only a biological process, but also a psychological one.

In terms of sex in psychology, it is not possible think about this concept without a famous Austrian neurologist, who believes to be the father of psychoanalysis. His works describe different complicated sexual processes from the psychological point of view: unconscious conflicts, dreams and their sexual symbolism. He worked out many theories, arising various controversial problems concerning human sexual life.

In the psychological encyclopedia, one can find the Freud’s theory of development. Describing the psychosexual development, he states that:

“In Freud’s view, the child starts life as a bundle of pleasure-seeking tendencies. Pleasure is obtained by the stimulation of certain zones of the body that are particularly sensitive to touch: the mouth, the anus, and the genitals” (Gleitman 470).

According to the table that shows the stages of psychosexual development of boys, one can see the following stages: the oral, the anal, the phallic, the latency, and the genital stages (Gleitman 471). During the phallic stage, there appears “stimulation of genitals, as in infantile masturbation” that has a logic consequence – the Oedipus complex. In its turn, this complex leads to “sexual desire directed toward mother”, “hostility and fear of father”, renunciation of mother, identification with father”, and “formation of superego” (Gleitman 471).

What is the Oedipus complex? Why is it so called? What is the core of the problem? The same encyclopedia gives the answer. It is “named after the mythical king of Thebes who knowingly committed the two most awful crimes – killing his father and marrying his mother” (Gleitman 474). Freud’s research shows that this drama reenacts in the childhood of all men.

Freud sees in The Oedipus complex a natural interest for a mother’s body. When people come into the world, a mother becomes a person number one for them. In the context of Freud’s works, a boy has a natural call for mother’s parts of the body: breast (nurse: usually, a mother feeds a child with milk), mouth (she kisses a child), hands (a mother caresses her child), etc. Natural mother’s love causes response feelings and emotion of a boy. Besides, a mother is the main helper in all physiological processes (including urination: a mother touches a penis of a boy).

In his book, Freud describes the nature of this complex in the phallic period: “…excitation of the genitals which has impelled the child to masturbate at this period” (Freud, 317). Also, he stresses the importance of the genitals for a boy, and gives some arguments:

“Sooner or later the child, who is so proud of his possession of a penis, has a view of genital region of a little girl, and cannot help being convinced of the absence of a penis in a creature so like himself” (Freud 318).

Thus, Freud finds the physiological and psychological explanation of the Oedipus complex. When a boy has an appetence to his mother, he wants to satisfy the excitation that is typical in the phallic period. Usually, he sees in a father a possible rival in fighting for a mother’s attention and love. If the process happens in a normal way, this complex remains just an echo in the boy’s unconscious. Nevertheless, the influence of the Oedipus complex may manifest itself even in a middle-aged period. Freud believes that this complex can have a “pathogenic effect” (Freud 319).

Freud’s theory about the Oedipus complex seems to be quite reasonable. His arguments can convince many people; although, this topic has been controversial since it appeared in psychology. The Oedipus complex, according to Freud, is a natural complex in childhood that expresses in natural sexual desire for a mother. It is accompanied by masturbation, hatred of father; a complex may cause neurotic diseases that remain with a person during all his life. The complex usually ceases its activity, and settles in the boy’s unconscious.

The examined problems of “sex” and “the Oedipus complex” allow to state their relation in a human life. Both Wilson and Freud believe that sex can be a source of pleasure that is one of the main moving values; sexual life reflects in biological and psychological processes; this is characterized by complexity and ambiguity. Sex is a complicated concept for men and women, as well. Owing to the Oedipus complex, a boy demonstrates his self-assertiveness as a male and individual. In the process of the complex activity, his sexual appetence does not direct to reproduction. All women and men want to satisfy their sexual needs in a different way. Nevertheless, the Oedipus complex is a peculiar feature of a boy’s development. Freud also described the same complex in a girl’s nature: the Electra complex (when a girl has a sexual appetence to her father).

Sex is tightly connected with human culture. There are many stereotypes, taboos and crimes connected with human sexual life. In most cultures, such phenomena like the Oedipus and Electra complexes are criticized; they are unacceptable, and should be eradicated. Wilson’s and Freud’s researches provided the basis for sexual education of children. In this context, a role of family grows. Parents should be sexually literate, and knows the principal peculiarities of children’s physiological and psychological development. They should take an active part in the process of child-rearing.

Art developed ethical and aesthetic attitude towards “sex”. Natural appetence to the opposite sex was represented in millions of valuable and fabulous pieces of art. Most people find them beautiful masterpieces that can positively influence human’s soul, and give an impulse to organize their own sexual life in a proper way.

Regardless of a great number of research paper concerning “sex” and the Oedipus complex, these problems need to be examined profoundly through the different aspects of people’s lives. Consequently, modern society should pay more attention to the importance of human sexuality. Basing on the experience of prominent researchers, one should build his own experience in the sexual sphere. All the spheres in a human life are connected: a physical disorder can grow into a psychic one. In addition, everyone should keep in mind that physical health is often rooted in psychic health. Health attitude to “sex” gives a person feeling of satisfaction and happiness.

Works Cited

Freud, Sigmund. The Dissolution of the Oedipal Complex. Vol. 7 of Penguin Freud Library. Trans. James Strachey. Ed. Angela Richards. London, UK: Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1976. 317-319.

Gleitman, Henry. Psychology. University of Pennsylvania: W.W. Norton and Company Inc., New York, NY: 1981. 470-474.

Wilson, Edward O. On Human nature. Massachusetts, MA: Harvard University Press, 2004. 121-199.