Castration Anxiety
ANXIETY FOR BOYS
Literal
Castration Anxiety refers to an unconscious fear of penile loss(the loss of Virility or Sexual Dominance) originating during Phallic Stage of psychosexual development and lasting a lifetime.
Metaphorical
Symbolic Castration Anxiety refers to the idea of feeling or being insignificant, being degraded or dominated, whether it be socially or in a relationship
Relation to Circumcision
The hallmarks of castration anxiety can be seen in males subject to Neonatal Circumcision - literally, a 'loss of sex organ' - metaphorically, the 'loss of control', which may present 'sensation seeking and lower emotional stability', etc.
Relation to Power and Control
Young men who felt the most threatened in their youth tended to show chronic anxiety as the fear can evolve from potential disfigurement to life-threatening situations, which leads to a fear of death, and a feeling of so powerless & loss of control over one's life
Penis Envy
ANXIETY FOR GIRLS
Freud: Woman as Castrated Man
Freudian 'On the sexual theories of children' presumed that females/girls envied those(mostly their fathers) with a penis because theirs was taken from them - as they see theirs already were 'castrated'. The Envy they experienced was their unconscious wish to be like a boy and to have a penis -- this was a major psychosexual development of the SELF in the girl which encompasses 'Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation and Morals'. According to Freud's beliefs, girls don't fear castration because they are already castrated, thus inhibiting the development of their SuperEgo which turns out a Weaker one.
Transition from Envy to Love
Freud believed during the Phallic stage, young girls unconsciously blame their mother and thus distance themselves from Mothers. Instead, transit this envy by showing love and affection towards their Fathers.
