Functions of the couple - 20/08/09
Summary |
The loving state gradually develops into a loving commitment; this is what we understand as the “couple”. For a loving relationship to become and be considered by the partners as a “couple relationship”, it has to meet certain criteria, satisfy sexual needs and needs for security at the same time. For certain personality types, these two different types of need can be contradictory and in all events can create conflicts. The loving relationship acquires more structure as it turns into a “couple” relationship. It acts as a depository for the deeply buried parts of the personality of each of the partners, filing away the subconscious issues leading to that particular choice of partner. This structuring, that I call the psychological work of the couple, will gradually become more complex over time and with the occurrence of life events. This psychological work will modify the psychological legacy of each partner and create something new, enabling them to finish the work of separation of children from childhood, leaving behind repetition. It is a source of maturity for each of the partners. When a crisis occurs in the couple, this is the opportunity for a period of intense work of this type. At the time of the crisis, elements of the personality and the history of each partner will emerge; elements that have been set aside until then. In taking them finally into consideration, the couple is better able to grasp the meaning of their choice of life partner and better consider the possible prospects for the future. A clinical example is given to show how a heterosexual couple integrated bisexuality into their phantasms, enabling them to ignore the homosexuality which was underlying their relationship. Then how, in a period of crisis, these suppressed elements came to the surface, revealing the foundations of the defensive organization of their couple.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Keywords : Couple, Structure of the couple, Psychological work, Crisis, Sexuality
Plan
Également en version française dans ce numéro : Dupré la Tour M. Les fonctions du couple. |
Vol 18 - N° 3
P. 169-170 - juillet 2009 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
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