In psychosexual development, individuals go through various stages, starting from infancy to adulthood. These stages are important for developing healthy relationships, including romantic ones, which can become challenging when there is scarcity and deprivation. In this article, we will discuss how psychosexual development occurs under such conditions.
Infantile stage:
At the infantile stage, children learn basic survival skills like feeding and sleeping, which sets the foundation for future growth. When parents are unable to provide these needs due to poverty or lack of resources, it may result in poor nutrition, emotional neglect, and delayed physical development. This can lead to feelings of anxiety, insecurity, and low self-esteem, which affect their later relationships.
Phallic stage:
During the phallic stage, children begin to understand gender roles and develop sexual feelings towards others. If there is scarcity and deprivation, they may struggle to explore their desires safely as they have limited access to appropriate outlets. This can cause confusion about their identity, leading to guilt and shame.
Latency period:
The latency period between childhood and adolescence is a time of physical and mental growth without obvious sexual activity.
If scarce resources prevent proper education, hobbies, and recreation, it can lead to frustration, loneliness, and isolation.
Genital stage:
The genital stage marks the beginning of puberty and is characterized by sexual attraction towards others. Under conditions of scarcity and deprivation, individuals may not receive adequate guidance on healthy sexual behavior, resulting in promiscuity, risk-taking, and irresponsibility.
This article concludes with an overview of how psychosexual development is impacted by scarcity and deprivation, highlighting its effects on intimacy, romantic relationships, and personal fulfillment. It emphasizes that addressing these issues requires understanding individual needs and providing support through counseling or therapy.
How does psychosexual development occur under conditions of scarcity and deprivation?
According to Erikson's theory, when people experience significant deprivation during early childhood, such as lack of adequate nutrition, hygiene, education, love, caregiving, and safety, they may develop feelings of shame and doubt about their abilities and worthiness. This can lead to low self-esteem and negative outcomes later on, including depression, anxiety, and addiction.