ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Electra complex

The Electra complex is a fancy term used to describe a child's (usually a girl's) feelings towards her father. It's kind of like a crush, where the child really likes their dad and wants to be close to them all the time.

This feeling usually starts when a child is really young, and it happens because they see their dad as their protector and somebody who takes care of them. As the child grows older, they begin to notice that their dad is different from them in some ways, and they start to feel a bit jealous of their mom, who gets to spend more time with their dad.

This feeling can sometimes make the child feel guilty because they might think that it's wrong to like their dad so much. They can feel like they are betraying their mom, or that their dad might not like them as much if he finds out.

But don't worry – most kids grow out of the Electra complex as they get older and start to see their dad as more of a friend instead of a protector. It's just a normal part of growing up and learning about relationships.