Child Life Certification 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

In Freud’s psychosexual development theory, the genital stage marks the transition to mature sexual interests. This stage typically begins in adolescence and signifies a shift from the earlier stages of development, where sexual energy is focused on specific erogenous zones, to a more balanced and mature expression of sexuality that incorporates the individual's feelings, relationships, and a broader understanding of intimacy.

During the genital stage, individuals start to establish sexual relationships with others, and the focus is on the ability to love and work within a social framework. This stage represents the culmination of the previous stages, wherein individuals have developed their identity and personal relationships. The successful navigation of this phase indicates emotional maturity and the capacity for healthy sexual relationships.

The other stages—oral, anal, and phallic—represent earlier developmental stages leading up to the genital phase and focus on different aspects of personality development, such as basic trust, control, and identification with same-gender parent figures. However, they do not encapsulate fully matured sexual interests and relationships as the genital stage does.