THE MEANING OF THE GENITALS IN THE DEVELO PMENT OF THE (BODY) SELF-IMAGE AND SENSE OF REALITY

Since the late 50s and mainly in the last two decenniums, a discussion has aroused about the impact of the genitals on the development of bo dy-image and identity. Combining data from infant research and clinica l vignettes this discussion not only enlarges the knowledge about psyc hosexual processes in males and females but also looks into the questi on of interchanges between bodily and affective experience and cogniti ve development. This article gives an overview of the main positions a nd topics.