(1937). Psychoanalytic Quarterly, 6:262-265 Review by: Greta Frankenstein Justifying himself from personal clinical experience as well as from other clinical and sociological data, Reich arrives at the conclusion that marriage as a rule is an unhappy tie; that, in fact, the average span of sexual attraction in a marital relationship is only four years. If this conclusion be correct, the implications in terms of human disappointment and frustration are enormous. Indeed, Reich considers the problem of sexuality as basic in the state, even conditioning its form, and holds that as the modern state is built up on the idea of matrimony and the family, the code of morality emerging from this ideology is decisive in its effect on man's psychic organization. If the way towards satisfaction of the sexual drives is barred, they are very apt to cause mischief and to be used for purposes hostile to life. This is precisely what happens now, for out of matrimony arises the ethical demand for monogamy, and this demand brings about repression and renouncement of dr [This is a summary or excerpt from the full text of the book or article. The full text of the document is available to subscribers.] |
