Attachment, Sexuality, Power: Oedipal Theory as Regulator of Family Affection in Freud's Case of Little Hans

In his book "Attachment, Sexuality, Power," Jerome C. Wakefield challenges established views of Freudian psychoanalysis by applying Foucault's concept of 'power/knowledge' to Freud's case of Little Hans, illuminating the role that Oedipal theory has played in reorganizing intimate family relationships. Wakefield argues that the Oedipal theory achieved prominence because its implications for family dynamics supported changing social values, and that the father's exercise of power based on his belief in the theory caused Hans's vulnerability to anxiety, revealing the theory's potential to cause harm by distancing children from their parents.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 306 pages
Publication date: 23 September 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

In his groundbreaking work, "Attachment, Sexuality, Power: Applying Foucault's Concept of 'Power/Knowledge' to Freud's Case of Little Hans," Jerome C. Wakefield takes a daring approach to challenging established views of Freudian psychoanalysis. By integrating Foucault's concept of "power/knowledge" with Freud's analysis of Little Hans, Wakefield sheds light on the profound role that Oedipal theory has played in reorganizing intimate family relationships. Through a meticulous examination of the Hans case, coupled with accounts of the history of marriage and the psychology of co-sleeping, Wakefield compellingly argues that the Oedipal theory gained prominence precisely because its implications for family dynamics aligned with evolving social values.

Wakefield uncovers a previously overlooked factor contributing to Hans's anxiety—his father's attempt to shield Hans from his perceived Oedipal desires by separating him from his mother. In doing so, Wakefield reveals that the father's exercise of power, driven by his belief in Oedipal theory rather than an actual Oedipus complex, played a significant role in making Hans vulnerable to anxiety. This insightful revelation underscores the potential harm that the Oedipal theory can inflict, as it distances children from their parents, even though such distancing may make the theory socially appealing.

"Attachment, Sexuality, Power" is a novel and meticulously documented exploration of the mechanisms through which Oedipal theory exerts its influence on family life. This work will be of immense interest to psychoanalysts and psychotherapists, as well as scholars in the fields of psychoanalysis, philosophy of science, and the history of psychiatry. Wakefield's innovative approach to analyzing the interplay between power, knowledge, and family dynamics offers a fresh perspective on Freud's work, shedding light on the complex dynamics that shape our understanding of human behavior and relationships.

Weight: 498g
Dimension: 233 x 156 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032224091