The characteristics of the paternal function during childrens' puberty. Theoretical considerations and clinical experience

Abstract

This article is divided into two parts. In the first one, charactersitics of the paternal function during puberty are described. Initially pubertal development in general is discussed, taking into consideration the thought of different authors. In particular, there is a focus on the impact of physical development on the preadolescent's own mind and, later, on all of the develoipmental "tasks" of the young boy in puberty: the issue of the integration of pulsional wishes, of incest, of the complex of his defenses, of being active outside of his own family. Later on the structurizing action of the paternal function during puberty will be considered, through the reciprocally interconnected summits of thought. In the second part, a clinical situation is presented. The aim is to highlight in clinical practice what has been argued theoretically regarding paternal function.