Sigmund Freuds views on women stirred controversy during his own lifetime and continue to evoke considerable debate today.
Freud once mused in “Sigmund Freud: Life and Work” by Ernest Jones.
Penis Envy
Penis envy is the female counterpart to Freuds concept of castration anxiety.
Imagno / Getty Images
According to Freud, this comes up whenever a girl realizes that she has no penis.
Female psychoanalysts such asKaren Horneyand other feminist thinkers have described his ideas as distorted and condescending.
The counterpoint theory to the Oedipal complex is theElectra complex.
During sessions with one of Freuds colleagues, Joseph Breuer, Pappenheim described her feelings and experiences.
Pappenheim went on to become a social worker and made significant contributions to the womens movement in Germany.
Initially, Freud suggested that the causes of hysteria were rooted in childhood sexual abuse.
Freuds relationship with his wife, Martha, was very traditional.
“She was a very good hausfrau (housewife),” explained his granddaughter, Sophie Freud.
“She was very thrifty.
And my father would say that his mother would rather poison the whole household than throw food away.”
She was originally one of Jung’s patients.
Spielrein herself is also credited with developing the concept of thedeath instinctsand for introducing psychoanalysis in Russia.
Psychoanalyst Karen Horney became one of the first critics of Freuds views on feminine psychology.
Even Freud’s own granddaughter would later offer up criticism of her famous relative.
Contemporary analysts should do no less."
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In: Strachey J, ed.The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud.Vol 19.
London: The Hogarth Press; 1925:241-260.
Grubin D.Young Dr. Freud.Public Broadcasting Service.Published 2002.
Jones E.The Life and Work of Sigmund Freud.New York: Basic Books, Inc; 1953.
Lehmann C.Women psychiatrists still battle Freud’s view of the sexes.Psychiatric News.
Published July 20, 2001.
Sayers J.Mothers of Psychoanalysis.
New York: W. W. Norton; 1991.
