According to Freud, at what age does the genital stage of development occur?

Freud's theory of psychosexual development outlines several stages, with the genital stage occurring during adolescence. This stage typically begins around the onset of puberty, which is when individuals experience significant physical, emotional, and social changes. During the genital stage, sexual maturation leads to increased awareness of sexual feelings and relationships. Adolescents begin to establish more mature relationships and seek to find balance between their drives and social norms.

This stage is crucial as it represents a time of re-evaluation of relationships formed during earlier stages, such as the resolution of conflicts in the earlier phallic stage. Individuals learn to focus on the needs of others in relationships, which is an essential aspect of healthy development. The successful navigation of this stage is linked to the development of a well-rounded sexual identity and interpersonal relationships in adulthood. Understanding this stage provides insight into the dynamics of adolescent behavior and its impact on adult relationships.