The Oedipus Complex (or
Oedipal Complex) often suffers from being too narrowly defined. The complex can exist in many forms, between various
relations of the
opposite sex.
It is not correct to state that the complex can only exist in young males who wish to kill their father and assume his role in the household. The boy may subconciously identify himself with his father and hence see him as competition for his mother. This can lead to a stronger relationship with his mother and potential distancing from his father. Once the boy overcomes the complex, he will be left with one of two things: an identification with his mother (due to their closeness), or a strong identification with his father. Freud regarded the latter as more normal: 'the passing of the complex consolidates the masculinity in the boy's character'-Freud
The same situation can also apply to a young girl. Girls play house and have dolls because they have a desire to assume the same role that they see their mother has. This can lead to a strengthening of relations between a young girl and her father: an attempt to remove her mother and assume a maternal role. On dissolution of this complex, the girl is left with a strong relationship with her father, while having found an 'intensified relationship with the mother'-Freud
In both situations there is the possiblity that the boy will finish more closely identifying himself with his mother and the girl with her father. According to Freud, this is the more abnormal outcome. Freud uses this outcome as a way of explaining the possible origins of 'bisexuality'in some people. Freud states the result, whatever it may be, is due to the 'relative strength of the masculine and feminine dispositions' in the child. In extreme cases, a boy may be so feminine in disposition that he behaves as though he were a daughter. That is, he coexists well with his father, maintaining an affectionate relationship, while remaining jealous and hostile with his mother.
It is also possible that Oedipus relations may exist between siblings; cousins of the same and different generations; uncles, aunts and their nieces and nephews et cetera. Although the existence of the complex is more common in 3-6 year old males than anyone else, it is important that other, less common scenarios are acknowledged.
Source: Freud, Sigmund. (1923). The Ego and the Id. The Hogarth Press: London.