The Theory Of Infantile Sexuality - 1233 Words

Although modern society disregards the theory of infantile sexuality and its relationship to neurotic personality types, closer examination shows that a direct correlation exists. Freud’s five stages of infantile sexuality prove their significant impact on the eventual maturation of what is regarded as adult psychosexual behaviors. Freud categorizes the stages of infantile sexuality as follows; oral, anal, phallic, latency and genital. Each stage is represented by certain developmental behaviors, which are innate in all normal functioning children. The complete transition of the libido from one stage to the next is necessary to avoid fixation on a specific erogenous zone. Society’s lack of attention to these stages of adolescent sexuality†¦show more content†¦I. The Five Stages of Infantile Sexuality The initial encounter with sensual behavior brings forth the first leap into psychosexual behaviors of the oral stage. This action is initiated by the infant’s earliest pleasurable experience, nursing. The unavoidable drive of the libido is drawn into the only sensation of pleasure to the infant’s knowledge, the stimulation of the oral cavity. In this sense the libido is concerned with the direction an individual focuses their energy. The total satisfaction received the first time the infant nurses is what prompts the oral stage. From the initial contact with a mother’s breast, a child desires to recreate that same stimulation. This feeling is the unconscious drive along the journey of psychosexual development. At this age everything the infant does is dependent on caregivers. There is no sense of independence. When teeth are formed, caregivers begin weening the infant away from relying on nursing as its form of sustenance. The forceful way the authoritative fig ures introduce autonomy creates conflict. The libido does not willingly detach from the oral fixation, and total dependent state. Once the primary form of stimulation is no longer available the child substitutes it for whatever is nearest to him. This accounts for why babies enjoy putting objects into their mouths; bottles, pacifiers, fingers, toes, and keys. Because the sense of â€Å"ego† has not come into play, there is no desire