ABSTRACT
Phantasies about being married already arise in childhood. Freud's discovery of the Oedipus complex, that is the wish of little boys to take fathers place with mother, the girl wanting to take mothers place with daddy and the resulting anxieties arising from the rivalry with the parent of the same sex, is well known. Yet admiration and love may be spoilt by envy of what the other has-whether it be beauty, talent, success in work or social life. Frequently, there are last minute considerations as to whether to break off the relationship before it is too late. Many couples are willing to work hard at understanding each other, sometimes aided by professional help. Loyalty to the new relationship means it can no longer to be discussed and analysed with other members of the family as it may have been before marriage.
