In Freud's psychosexual development, where is the erogenous zone during the phallic stage?

In Freud's theory of psychosexual development, the phallic stage occurs roughly between the ages of three and six years. During this stage, the primary erogenous zone is the genitals. Children begin to explore their bodies and may develop a sense of sexual identity as they become aware of the differences between males and females. Freud emphasized that this exploration is a crucial part of a child's development, as it can lead to feelings of desire and rivalry, particularly regarding the opposite-sex parent—a concept he termed the Oedipus complex for boys and the Electra complex for girls.

The genitals' role in the phallic stage is to serve as the focal point for a child's developing sexual identity and behaviors, making this stage pivotal in forming gender identity and sexuality later in life. This understanding is fundamental in discussing Freud's broader theories surrounding personality development and behavioral issues linked to different stages.