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With regard to the obstacle of “penis envy”, which Freud (1937) linked to the biological bedrock, I want to take up again the question of phallic introjection in both sexes as a basis for working through penis-envy in women, as well as the defence of passivity in men (in relations to men), in order to elaborate and overcome castration anxiety. Freud had noticed in 1923 that this transition through the phallic stage could open the way to recognition of femininity and masculinity, without following up his elaboration: our advances in clinical and theoretical work clearly show that a regressive movement can prevail when a new discovery meets with particularly strong resistances. Freud had also noticed that the same was true of dissent. Since every novelty creates uncanny feelings, two responses are possible: integrating what is new or withdrawing into what has been acquired. Freud did not hesitate in his work to shake up theory and to pursue new paths, but the “female continent” remained in part obscure for him. The advances of psychoanalysis also go hand in hand with those of society.