Feminist Theory
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This document outlines the key principles of feminist therapy. It discusses how feminist therapy views psychological distress as resulting from societal oppression rather than internal dysfunction. The core beliefs of feminist therapy include acknowledging how women are impacted by their social and cultural contexts and focusing on external factors like power imbalances and oppression over internal factors. Case studies are used to demonstrate how feminist therapy would empower clients by addressing societal and cultural influences on their experiences and difficulties.
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Feminist Theory
- 4. Feminist Theory Demystify therapy Made of many branches/positions on feminism Addresses power issues as root causes of clients’ problems Psychological Dysfunction = oppression of individual by society Society devalues women and qualities associated with FT focuses on external instead of internal factors Gender imbalance Critique of traditional approaches to health and dysfunction
- 5. Core Beliefs of Feminist Therapy Being female always occurs in a cultural, social, political, economic, and historical context and affects development across the lifespan. FT focuses on the cultural, social, political, economic and historical factors of women’s lives as well as intrapsychic factors. FT includes an analysis of power and its relationship to multiple ways women are oppressed (gender, race, class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, ablebodiness) FT acknowledges that violence against women, covert and overt, is emotionally, physically, and spiritually damaging. Primary focus on strengths rather than deficits. Committed to social change that supports equality forever.
- 6. Perspectives of Feminism Differences based on extent of: Emphasizing the unique qualities of women Advocating the rejection of masculine or patriarchal models Integrating issues of culture and class into their viewpoints
- 7. Perspectives of Feminism Liberal/Reformist Feminists Radical and Social Change (or Socialist) Feminists Cultural or Difference Feminists Women of Color Feminism/Womanism Postmodern Feminism Lesbian Feminism Transgender Feminism
- 9. Feminist Identity Development Theory Passive Acceptance Revelation Embeddedness-Emanation Synthesis Active Commitment
- 10. Health and Dysfunction Standard of health is in male qualities (independence, assertiveness, competitive) Society deems women’s problems as internal Distress/symptoms for women can be normal Multiple role maintenance Body Image Disturbance
- 11. Socio-Cultural Factors: Politics Perceived personal problems actually political and social structures Women hold less than 20% of congressional seats 84th worldwide for female leadership “Positive Quotas” Delaware, Iowa, Mississippi and Vermont 24 states never have had a female governor Hillary 2016?
- 12. Socio-Cultural Factors: Religion Traditionally patriarchal (roles, deities, apostles…) Strong masculine language (Father, son, holy ghost…) Lack of female leadership reinforces inferiority Garden of Eden/Genensis 2 Verse 4:34 of the Quran
- 13. Socio-Cultural Factors : Binary Gender Expectations Classifies as ‘male’ or ‘female’ gender or Cisgender Combining gender expression and sexual anatomy Gender spectrum Non-binary oppression Genderqueer, Gender Nonconforming, Pangender, Hybrid, Third Gender, Agender, Two Spirits, etc. “My birth sex does not match my understanding of who I am.”
- 14. Socio-Cultural Consequences: Politics Governor Scott Walker repeals Wisconsin Equal Pay Law Paycheck Fairness Act Women’s Health Protection Act Reauthorization of Violence Against Women Act Less progressive policy Female national leadership = better economic performance
- 15. Socio-Cultural Consequences : Religion Struggle for rights as women while retaining religious identity Reinforced household roles Muslim limitations (education, employment, legal representation) Hindu traditions like dowry-giving Mormons and E.R.A.
- 16. Socio-Cultural Consequences: Binary Gender Half of teens experience a negative reaction from family upon coming out 84.6% GLBTQ students verbally harassed 45% of transgendered youth have contemplated suicide Higher rates of negative sexual health outcomes for GLBTQ youth of color 2x more likely to be unemployed GNL living in lowest household income category 36% of GNLs avoid healthcare due to fear of discrimination 20% of GNLs participate in unground work for income 31% reported experiencing harassment from police/law enforcement
- 17. Ideal Population for Feminist Theory Women People of Color People with Disabilities/Handicaps Religious Minorities First-generation or Immigrant Families GLBTQ population People with psychiatric disorders Privileged white males (?)
- 18. Case Study: Demarion 21 years old Youngest son of 7 Greenville, AL Football scholarship to UA Religious Studies major Wants to follow father as Baptist Minister Questioning sexual identity and gender presentation
- 19. Demarion Depression/Anxiety Distorted self image Feelings of isolation/hopelessness Difficulty forming genuine relationships Feelings of powerlessness Suicide ideation
- 21. Techniques Any technique from any theory as long as it is EMPOWERING Assertiveness training, gender role analysis, self-disclosure Reframing and relabeling
- 22. Application of Feminist Theory Empowerment through exploring self through therapy Distress/uncertainty normal responses to oppression No traditional assessment or DSM diagnosis Request thorough description of upbringing, family life, religious affiliation Emphasize strengths, “expert of own life” Reassurance that changing or deciding not to change is right decision Explore range of life possibilities
- 23. Feminist Therapy Continued Help Demarion recognize his location in society Show acceptance of male and female tendencies (both accurate representations of self) Address societal attitudes/structures that inhibit change, reinforce gender norms Gender role analysis Introduction to gender and sexual-attraction spectrums Exploration of non-binary gender and romantic orientation Introduction to LGBT community resources off campus
- 24. References (1980). “The Church and the proposed equal rights amendment: A moral issue.” Ensign Magazine. Retrieved from http://lds.org/ensign/the-church-and-the-proposed-equal-rights-amendment- a-moral- issue?lang=eng Brooks, D. “Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (GLBTQ) youth: A population in need of understanding and support.” Retrieved from http://advocatesforyouth.org/storage/advfy/documents/glbtq_youth%202010.pdf Harrison, J., Grant, J., Herman, J.L. (2011). “A gender not listed here: Genderqueers, gender rebels, and otherwise in the National Transgender Discrimination Survey.” LGBTQ Policy Journal at the Harvard Kennedy School, 2, 13-24. Hill, S. (2014). “Why does the U.S. still have so few women in office?” Retrieved from http://thenation.com/article/178736/why-does-the-us-still-have-so-few-women-office Koehn, A. (2015). “Neuroscience proves what we’ve known all along: Gender exists on a spectrum.” Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ravishly/neuroscience-proves-what- _b_6494820.html Levitt, H.M., & Ippolito, M. (2014). “Being transgender: The experience of transgender identity development.” Journal of Homosexuality, 61, 1727-1758.
- 25. References Murdock, N.L. (2013). Theories of counseling and psychotherapy: A case approach. (3rd Edition). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc. National Women’s Political Caucus. (2010). “Statistics.” Retrieved from http:www.nwpc.org/statistics National Democratic Institute. “Gender, women, and democracy.” Retrieved from http://www.ndi.org/gender-women-democracy Young, N.J. (2014). “The LDS church, and the problem of Mormon feminists.” Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/neil-j-young/kate-Kelly-the-lds- church_b_5547809.html