SelfhelpMagazine

by Patricia Pitta, Ph.D., A.B.P.P.

You are onto something. Electra is alive and well in many girls. As the theory goes is that when a little girl realizes she can not have her dad because mom already has him, the girl when she becomes a woman sets out to have her own man some day with characteristics like Dad. He doesn't have to be the same age as Dad or look or talk like Dad.

She may find herself attracted to men that resemble Dad. That is perfectly normal. You hear of many women marrying men the age of their fathers. These women choose to have a partner that not only resembles Dad's personality characteristics, but also people in his age bracket. Women who marry men of a similar age also often look for men like Dad, even though the person appears different. As the saying goes Different Strokes for Different Folks. It might be a good idea if you read the article Finding Someone Right For You by Edward Dreyfus, Ph.D.

About the Author:

Dr. Patricia Pitta is a clinical psychologist practicing in Manhasset, New York, for more than 20 years. She is a Diplomat in Family Psychology of the American Psychological Association and an Approved Supervisor of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy. Dr. Pitta is also the President of the Long Island Association of Marriage and Family Therapy.

She has created a treatment modality that enables the partners to accept responsibility for their parts in relationship problems leading to resolution of issues without getting stuck in blame. She encourages self growth which enhances couple growth and family development.