Sexuality and pornography in contemporary times through the theoretical view of Sándor Ferenczi

Abstract

In The unwelcome child and his death instinct (1929), Ferenczi theorizes about patients who were not supported when they came into the world. In these cases when the initial life force is inhibited, remains an almost pure death drive, which culminate in a tendency to self-destruct. How does the drive disorder manifest itself in the sexual life of adults who have been unwelcome children? If there is little pleasure, can we think of genitality being structured in self-destruction, in other words, surrounded by death drive? This article raises the possibility of self-destruction happening through sex. In these cases, there is no pleasure in the sexual act, only relief and a self-destructive search. These ideas will be aligned with the example of pornographic actress and the movie Pleasure (2021). The article aims to contribute to clinic work and sexuality, discussing genitality, subjectivity, the bond with others, and psychic suffering.