Mythology also has a presence in psychology as an inspiration, as shown by the diagnosis of Electra complex. A term used by specialist Carl Gustav Jung to develop a psychosexual theory of girls. According to this expert, girls, at some point during their growth stage, develop an emotional preference towards their father, developing feelings of greater rivalry towards their mother. In this Psychology-Online article, we explain andWhat is the Electra complex and its symptoms? not only in childhood, but also in adulthood.
From this perspective, girls go through some vital moment in which they show real weakness for their father. A preference that is shown in gestures as simple as desires to share more play time with him. This usually happens around 3 or 4 years old.
Who was Electra?
Daughter of Agamemnon, who was murdered by his wife’s lover. Years after that tragic event, Electra carried out a vengeful plan in collaboration with her brother to defend the honor of her father, killing her mother and her lover. The girls show this preference for his father when in colloquial language they feel “daddy”.
As parents, it is important to understand children’s behavior, since this stage is also part of their vital development. Generally, this stage ends around age 6, approximately, when girls once again show a greater affinity with their mother.
Electra complex: symptoms
From the perspective of the Electra complex, this diagnosis refers to the rivalry between the girl and the mother to gain the father’s attention and love. Therefore, from this vital position, the girl observes her mother as a rival person. That is, this creates an opposition bond.
In some cases, this emotional conflict can last until adulthood, as occurs in the case of those daughters who show a bond of constant conflict with his mother, reflecting a continued preference for his father. For example, he experiences his parents’ relationship conflicts as his own and always takes a position in defense of the father, beyond the context.
A very important reason for happiness for a person who experiences the Electra conflict in adulthood is that they seek the father’s approval in making decisions. That is to say, the parent is a const reference in life, a compass of happiness. In this way, from a sentimental point of view, those women who did not overcome the Electra complex in their childhood look for in their partner an ideal prototype associated with that image of paternal perfection.
In this context, women with an unresolved Electra complex are more likely to experience dependent love.
How to deal with the Electra complex in girls
It is advisable to act naturally in the face of these behaviors in order not to generate a feeling of guilt in the girl. It is important that in the context of the family, each member has a clear role and a unique space. In this way, boys and girls discover their own place in the family system.
It is important that the mother shares activities alone with the girl to foster the emotional bond between the two. In this way, by sharing time together, a bond of collaboration emerges that is therapeutic in the face of rivalry.
If for any reason parents feel overwhelmed by children’s attitudes, it is recommended consult with a child and adolescent psychologistwho as an expert can make a diagnosis of the situation and give personalized instructions to respond with new pedagogical resources in the family context.
What are the symptoms of Electra complex in childhood? For example, the girl cries with real sadness when her father leaves the house to run an errand. She lives that moment away with negativity. Another common symptom is that the girl expresses that “when she is older she will marry dad.” It is advisable to always correct the girl out of her affection.
In this article we have told you what the Electra complex consists of and its symptoms. Remember that this stage is part of the child growth process, that is, it has a positive function.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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