The fundamental danger of the Oedipical situation is to fix the baby in the role of substitute of the other parent. Many mothers make their sons unconsciously play the role of husbands whom they despise while many husbands let their daughters believe they are considered as little wives.
This sort of fascination makes an indelible impression on the child and predisposes him to various kinds of future inhibitions and sexual deviations (e.g. Homosexuality) on the contrary, the couple that succeeds in achieving a good affective, intellectual and sexual understanding between each other will not be a prey to the temptation of using the child as an ally, a target or a scape-goat in their mutual relationship. The child is not an object to be used at one's pleasure, but an autonomous being whose personality has to be respected.
A good understanding among the parents has beneficial effects on the child. It helps him to better identify himself with the parent of the same sex. The boy dreams of possessing the manliness of the father and imitates him in his way of speaking, walking and behaving. The girl imitates the charm, sensibility and balance of the mother. Both learn in this way from the parents the correct attitude towards the opposite sex. A boy whose father doesn't despise his wife will not feel uneasy with women when turns into adult. A girl warned against the male sex by a mother who despises her husband will develop a wrong feeling towards men that will manifest it in future life. Love, respect or contempt for the father determine the girl's attitude towards her future partner.
