ABSTRACT
Guilt is a nagging unpleasant feeling of being morally questionable. It arises from harbouring conscious or unconscious impulses to commit acts that are prohibited by one’s religion, family traditions, local law, and, in the internalised form of all these, by the superego. In the end, guilt is about breaking rules, regardless of whether such transgressions actually take place or remain confined to the imagination. Guilt due to having broken rules (established by family, religion, law, and society) is often accompanied by wistfulness. One yearns to undo the act, desperately wishes that one had not done it. Regardless of its specific colouration and context, Oedipal guilt invariably results in a compromised love life. Prostitution fantasies often colour sexuality when Oedipal guilt plays a prominent role in psychic life. More frequent than such dramatic inductions of guilt are instances where parents discourage a child’s authentic strivings and make him feel guilty for being unique and different from them.
