During which stage of Freud's developmental theory does the child focus on genital organs?

The focus on genital organs occurs during the phallic stage of Freud's developmental theory, which typically spans the ages of 3 to 6 years. During this stage, children develop a heightened awareness of their bodies and an interest in the differences between genders. This stage is characterized by exploration of the genital area, and children also begin to identify with their same-sex parent, which contributes to their understanding of gender roles and expectations.

In this stage, children may experience what Freud described as the Oedipus complex in boys, where they develop feelings for their mother and view their father as a rival, while girls experience a similar concept known as the Electra complex, where they feel a sense of competition with their mother for their father's attention. The phallic stage is crucial for shaping a child's sexual identity and the development of superego.

The other stages mentioned are focused on different developmental aspects: the oral stage centers around pleasure from oral activities such as sucking, the anal stage deals with toilet training and control, and the latency stage is a period of social development where sexual urges are largely suppressed, allowing for the development of skills and friendships. These distinctions highlight why the phallic stage is the correct answer regarding the child's focus on genital organs