The phallic stage is a concept from Sigmund Freud's theory of psychosexual development, occurring between the ages of three and six. During this stage, children become aware of their bodies and develop a fascination with the differences between genders. This awareness can lead to feelings of competition and rivalry, particularly with the same-sex parent, a phenomenon Freud termed the Oedipus complex for boys and the Electra complex for girls. In the phallic stage, children also begin to identify with their same-sex parent, which helps shape their gender identity and moral values. Successful navigation of this stage is believed to contribute to a healthy sense of self and interpersonal relationships in adulthood.