Freud: Theorist of Puberty?
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65
The question of Freud’s theorization of adolescence (if any) is not a straightforward field of exploration, insofar as it presupposes a further reading of Freud’s texts. Indeed, only the Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality devotes a section to this question, although it is only partly relevant: it appears to be mostly a comparison biased toward infantile sexuality. Epistemological reasons may contribute to its understanding, as the “concept” of adolescence was not really relevant in Freud’s time. However, a close reading of some texts reproduced in this article may give some clues for a possible theorization of adolescence, or contribute elements consistent with its development. The aim of the present article is to seek out the various ways in which this development is expressed, which are always incidental and circumstantial. This occurs through a careful reading of some articles by Freud—mainly from Sexuality, but also from New Introductory Lectures on Psychoanalysis (“Femininity”)—that we consider significant (and which thus represent a non-exhaustive selection on the matter). These articles are expressly taken from different periods in Freud’s theorization to stress their permanent and persistent nature, even considering the natural change in the way things are formulated. This implicit theorization of adolescence by Freud will only become intelligible when confronted with the theoretical advances that have been achieved since then, especially by Jacques Lacan. Freud’s theorization foreshadows the definition of the Feminine as a specific feature of puberty; this emerges as something beyond the phallic stage initiated in childhood, i.e., related to the reality of puberty.
Réseaux sociaux