Abstract

WELLDON, Estela V.. The myth of glorified maternity. Rev. bras. psicanál [online]. 2008, vol.42, n.4, pp.113-123. ISSN 0486-641X.

According to traditional psychoanalytical theories perversion is an exclusive male psychopathology. The author challenges this view and argues that women express their perverse attitudes not only through but also towards their bodies, very often in a self-destructive way, such as syndromes of self-injury associated with biological or hormonal disorders affecting the reproductive functioning. In other words, perversion in women is not so clearly and exclusively connected with the expression of hostility and release of anxiety through just one organ as it is with men. Motherhood as perversion is conceptualized using her clinical material collected over 2 decades from the Tavistock-Portman clinics. She observes that the main difference between male and female perverse action lies in the aim. Where as in men the act is aimed at an external part-object, in women it is against themselves: either against their bodies or against objects of their own creation - that is, their babies. In both respects, bodies and babies are treated as part-objects. Motherhood as perversion is the result of at least a three generational trauma. There are basic differences between male and female perversions which are clearly classified.

Keywords : Perversions; Motherhood; Female psychopathology; Trauma; Domestic power; Body.

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