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The essential point of this paper is that in infancy and childhood sexual tensions do arise from the vagina but without an awareness of the vagina; that is to say, without organ representation. This produces desires for gratification which cannot be adequately dealt with and which remain vague and yet pressing. Kestenberg describes reactions to this at various developmental stages and traces effects on object relations and on the cathexis of other organs. She includes two stages not ordinarily listed. The first is between the anal and phallic stages and is called the early maternal stage. The girl projects her vaginal sensations upon the baby (actually a baby doll) in an attempt to master these sensations through something external. This contributes greatly to the development of maternal ability and to the later acceptance of the organ (the vagina) when it becomes fully represented. The other phase is a part of the phallic phase called the projection phase. Here the whole genital region is rejected and the sensations are projected onto men, who are regarded as evil while the girl is pure. In conclusion, Kestenberg suggests that the various aspects of this complex development are not merely potentially pathological but are necessary for the full development of feminine, maternal women.