Sex without love; love without sex. This is how the 'Madonna/Whore' complex manifests itself within the psyche of men around the world. This psychodynamic theory, first suggested and explained by Freud in 1912, can have dire impacts for both the state of relationships and the mental health of those involved.
The theory involves a childhood where a distant, cold mother raised the sufferer. This can cause unfulfilled needs of intimacy in later life. Combined with the Oedipus complex (and the fear of castration), the complex manifests itself when he feels the same affection for a woman he sexually desires as he did with his mother as a child. The resulting conflict between desire and fear results in the sufferer placing women into two categories: 'Madonna' (women to admire) and 'Whore' (women who can fufill sexual desires). The 'Madonna' figure seeked by sufferers often has a character reminiscent of their childhood mothers, as they long for the intimacy that was never received as a child. However, the unconscious mind will reject the idea of sexual encounters with the 'Madonna' figure, due to the 'mother figure' status they have within the mind of a sufferer. They will equate sex with a 'Madonna' figure to incest, and are unable to satisfy the sexual desire of these women. On the other hand, 'Whore' figures are women who, through the eyes of complex sufferers, are seen as 'bad' and 'filthy', and not worthy of true love. These women are where sexual desires are released and satisfied. Feelings can never develop past a lustful stage as they are not saintlike virginal characters; they are perceived to be 'tainted' with sexual prowess, and are not worthy of the respect a Madonna 'mother' figure has.
This concept unfortunately has major implications for society. For example, the woman of a relationship with a complex sufferer could become frustrated over the lack of sexual satisfaction from her husband. This could damage her self-esteem, as she blames herself for his inability or reluctance to make love to her. This could lead to depression, a serious mental disorder. In addition, it may cause relationship problems, especially if the man is going to Whore figures for sexual satisfaction. Adultery and divorce could increase due to the complex, having impacts economically (the money spent on divorce cases could make people poorer) and socially (more single parents/depressed parents due to divorces could have negative effects on any children brought about by the failed relationship). As you can see, the complex has negative implications for both the mind and wider society.
Therapies can be used in an attempt to treat the condition, although the success of therapy may vary. Many men nay find it hard to break through the condition to satisfy the relationship they have, causing a split in a couple. It seems that the condition can sometimes be incurable, with deep psychological rootings in a patient.
Interestingly, whilst many of Freud's theories have fallen out of favour in the psychological community (being replaced with empirically evidenced theories), this theory has been described by some as being 'astonishingly modern' and 'highly prevalent' within society (Hartmann, 2009). Not only does it show that the theory is agreed by many to be a real condition with a negative effect on people's lives, it may show that not all of Freud's theories should be discarded in favour of more modern ideas. Freud's influence over modern psychology is undeniable, and concepts such as this show that his work is still valid and applicable in the present day environment.
Ref:
Freud, Sigmund (1912) "Über die allgemeinste Erniedrigung des Liebeslebens [The most prevalent form of degradation in erotic life]" Jahrbuch für Psychoanalytische und Psychopathologische Forschungen 4: 40–50
Hartmann, U. (2009), Sigmund Freud and His Impact on Our Understanding of Male Sexual Dysfunction. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 6: 2332–2339. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01332.x
Tuch (2010) suggested that Freud offered an alternative suggestion in the basis of man’s “primary hatred of women” and the subsequent sadistic measures in which the son would then rectify the mother’s mistreatment upon future partners. To state that Freud was, to put it simply, sex obsessed is completely warranted. His theories, although then perceived as inspired, relied too much on the sexual desire of children and repressed memories- all of which have been largely discredited.
ReplyDeleteTo state that all women fall into either of these two categories is a gross oversimplification that can only befall the methods that Freud used to develop his theories. That is to say, that he often based entire theories on a couple of individual, unique cases that he encountered in his therapy sessions. Of course, to state that all men see women as either “Madonna’s” or “Whores” would also be a gross oversimplification. The theory is deemed over-complicated and over-construed. In this I have to disagree with the implied tone of your blog.
Perhaps there are people who do suffer from this complex, or base feelings that mimic those that Freud believed to suffer from it (which is presumably in his mind, everyone). But to put weight on Freud’s Madonna/Whore complex to such an extent that social implications are evident is, for me, somewhat unfounded.
However, I would have to agree that, in comparison to his other, more outlandish theories, the Madonna/ Whore complex is perhaps the most relevant to contemporary culture- transcending the generations since its conception. Hartmann (2009) suggests this viewpoint, stating that “many parts of his work appears astonishingly modern…..even in the light of current neurobiological research and recent models of sexual dysfunction”.
Overall, I enjoyed your blog and found it incredibly interesting - certainly a basis for debate.
Tuch, R. (2010). Murder on the mind: tyrannical power and other points along the perverse spectrum. The International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 91, 141-162. DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-8315.2009.00220.x