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In the analysis of a girl between the ages of three and five, given in detail, three stages could be observed in the development of the wish for a child. The first phase from the second to the third year shewed a narcissistic object-relationship to the mother, which is rather ambivalent owing to frustrations and anxiety, lest the mother should have more
children. Strong oral envy, identification with the child in the womb. Envy of the pregnancy of the mother, caused by the real observation of the new pregnancy of the mother, associated with envy of the breast of the mother. Impulses of oral-sadistic introjection of the mother and the child in the womb. Anal- and urethral rebirth-fantasies.
The second phase, from the third to the fourth year, contains the observation of the penis and the primal scene. The penis envy of the father is combined with the earlier oral-sadistic tendencies against the mother and leads to oral fantasies of stealing the penis. Enlightenment as to sex differences leads to the idea that the vagina is a 'lower mouth' and also to the illusion of having a penis. There is increased masturbation with bisexual fantasies. Receptive-genital impulses of stealing the penis of the father and at the same time phallic urethral and anal-sadistic fantasies towards the mother, with increased anxiety.
In the third phase (fourth to fifth year) after having been threatened in reality by the father, the 'being castrated' is experienced. Accusations against the mother as having seduced and castrated the girl and against the father as having seduced her to masturbation and castrated her. The wish for a child is revived along the lines: fæces-child—penis-child. The receptive-genital impulses to steal the penis of the father and the anal and urethral tendencies against the mother are transformed into genital Oedipal impulses with the wish for a child.
It is emphasized that the development of this child follows the description of Freud in 'On Female Sexuali