Feminine and Woman in Psychoanalysis: Historical and Epistemological Constructions
psychoanalysis; feminine; women; feminism; epistemology
Debates and theories about the feminine and women have been present in
Psychoanalysis for over a hundred years, being one of the most controversial topics in the
area. For Freud, the feminine is associated with passivity and submission, in addition to
stipulating that the normal path to femininity would lead to motherhood. Such elaborations
were not well received by everyone, generating great stir not only in the psychoanalytic
environment, but also in areas such as Feminism, Philosophy and Gender Studies.
Currently, we observe numerous theories about women and the feminine in Psychoanalysis,
passing through theorists such as Lacan, Winnicott, Butler and Irigaray. However, the
Freudian psychoanalytical thought on the subject remains predominant, which is criticized
for bringing a phallocentric view of women. In this way, we also see a growth of theories that
seek to integrate the knowledge of Psychoanalysis with other disciplines, such as Gender
Studies, seeking perspectives that encompass contemporary women and their various
developments. Thus, the objective of this dissertation is to analyze the historical contexts
that influenced and influence psychoanalytical thinking about the feminine and women, in
addition to discussing how current theories on the subject are being developed. Finally, we
seek to report and criticize the debate about the feminine in Psychoanalysis, especially the
issue of phallic logic