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genital phase

genital phase

8.4
A stage in the teenage years when mature sexual feelings and adult relationships begin
  • noun
  • /ˈdʒɛnɪtəl feɪz/
  • Specialized
translation icon : fase genital
  • According to Freud, the genital phase marks the onset of mature adult sexuality.

Examples

  • During the genital phase, individuals begin to form mature sexual relationships.

  • During the genital phase, individuals seek to establish balanced and loving relationships.

  • Psychologists believe unresolved issues in earlier stages can affect the genital phase of development.

  • The genital phase is crucial for healthy emotional development.

  • According to Freud, the genital phase marks the onset of mature adult sexuality.

  • During the genital phase, individuals seek to establish balanced and loving relationships.

  • Psychologists believe unresolved issues in earlier stages can affect the genital phase of development.

Synonyms

puberty
vsgenital phase
74 2.8

The time when a young person's body changes and becomes able to have children

focuses on a psychoanalytic developmental phase about mature sexual interests not biological reproduction
genital stage
vsgenital phase
  • Specialized
1 8.2

A period that begins at puberty when sexual feelings mature and focus on close adult relationships

is described as the final psychoanalytic stage rather than numbered in Freud's list

How Mature

genital phase
  • Specialized
8.4
latency stage
  • Specialized
9.3
phallic stage
  • NSFW
9.9
anal stage
  • Specialized
8.4
oral stage
  • Specialized
7.9

Surface Forms

genital phase singular

Morphology

genital + phase

The compound is compositionally built from 'genital' (related to sex/reproductive organs) and 'phase' (a stage), so a learner who knows both words can infer it denotes a stage of sexual development. Although it is a technical psychoanalytic term with specific clinical connotations, its core meaning is transparent and predictable from the constituents.

Etymology

The term genital phase comes from the words genital (the body's sexual organs) and phase ('stage' of life). It names the final part of growing up when adult sexual feelings appear and people start to form mature relationships.