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Different psychoanalytic theories provide unique viewpoints on how gender develops, with an emphasis on the various processes and elements that influence how people understand and express their gender identity. Gender identity develops through the resolution of unconscious conflicts related to sexual desire and identification with same-sex parents, according to Freudian theory, which is based on the idea of the Oedipus complex ( Freud, 1905). As an illustration of how gender identity changes through internalisation of maternal and paternal images, object relations theory, on the other hand, concentrates on the early mother-infant relationship ( Chodorow, 1978). These theories differ in that they place a different emphasis on biological drives versus relational experiences, but they both emphasise the significance of early childhood experiences and family dynamics in gender development.
Moreover, the concept of the symbolic order and the function of language in the formation of gender identity are introduced by Lacanian psychoanalysis. Lacan (1957) asserts that people traverse the symbolic domain by means of identification with linguistic and cultural symbols that mould their gender identity and sense of self. Relational psychoanalytic viewpoints, like those put forth by Mitchell and Atwood (1997), highlight the reciprocal influence of internal and external factors and the importance of interpersonal relationships and social context in gender development. These theories recognise the intricate interaction between unconscious processes, socialisation experiences, and cultural norms in shaping people's gender identities, even though they provide different explanations for how gender develops.
Fathers have a major impact on the development of gender identities within psychoanalytic frameworks because they are essential in determining family dynamics and the internalisation of gender roles. According to Nielsen (1996), fathers play a special role in a child's gender socialisation process because they present different models of masculinity and give opportunities for gender exploration. According to Freudian theory, fathers help children internalise gender norms by acting as role models for identification and helping to resolve the Oedipus complex ( Freud, 1905). Chodorow (1978) emphasises fathers' role in helping children individuate and separate from their mothers, two crucial processes in the formation of gender identity.
Gender identity formation is significantly shaped by societal norms and expectations, which are shaped by historical and cultural circumstances. Butler (2006) argues that gender is a performance that is formed by cultural scripts and societal standards around what defines masculinity and femininity rather than a fixed quality. These gender performances are determined by the dominant cultural and social norms, which can range greatly between countries and historical eras. They are not just personal preferences.
The idea of gender intersectionality, as used in psychoanalytic frameworks, emphasises how gender identity interacts with other characteristics like race, class, and sexual orientation to create a complex identity matrix that profoundly affects a person's psychological experiences. The term "intersectionality" was initially used by Crenshaw (1989) to discuss how gender and race interact to influence the various aspects of Black women's work experiences. Psychoanalysis has extended this method to take into account the ways in which these intersections impact psychic structures and identity development. Furthermore, standard psychoanalytic models—which frequently assume binary ideas of gender—are challenged by adding the experiences of transgender and non-binary people. According to Harris (2012), psychoanalysis should be more inclusive in order to acknowledge and support the variety of gender experiences that exist, going beyond the binary to incorporate the viewpoints of transgender and non-binary people. By recognising the various ways people perceive and express their gender identities in relation to other facets of their social and personal identities, this inclusion not only improves therapeutic practices but also contributes to the advancement of psychoanalytic theory.
Psychoanalytic interpretations of gender are heavily shaped by cultural and historical contexts, which also have an impact on the conceptualisation and understanding of gender identity. For example, Freudian theories were created in a particular historical and cultural setting that mirrored the dominant perspectives on gender and sexuality in Vienna in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Psychoanalytic viewpoints, however, have also changed over time to take into account the shifts in society beliefs around gender. While acknowledging the impact of cultural norms on the formation of gender roles, Chodorow (1999) emphasises the significance of taking social context into account when attempting to understand the evolution of gender identity. In a similar vein, Person ES and peers (1983) emphasise how psychoanalytic theories must continue to adapt to shifting social dynamics by embracing ideas from queer and feminist theory to provide more inclusive and complex understandings of gender. Psychoanalytic gender theories contribute to clinical treatments in therapeutic settings by offering a framework for comprehending clients' experiences with gender identity and expression. Therapists can foster a supportive environment that acknowledges varied gender identities and experiences, hence improving psychological well-being and personal growth, by emphasising sensitivity and inclusivity in caregiving ( Butler, 2006).
Butler, J. (2006). Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity. Routledge. https://www.routledge.com/Gender-Trouble-Feminism-and-the-Subversion-of-Identity/Butler/p/book/9780415389556
Chodorow, N. (1999). The Reproduction of Mothering: Psychoanalysis and the Sociology of Gender. University of California Press. https://toleratedindividuality.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/the-reproduction-of-mothering.pdf
Person ES, Ovesey L. Psychoanalytic theories of gender identity. J Am Acad Psychoanal. 1983 Apr;11(2):203-26. doi: 10.1521/jaap.1.1983.11.2.203. PMID: 6341336. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6341336/
Crenshaw, K. (1989). Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory and Antiracist Politics. University of Chicago Legal Forum, vol. 1989, no. 1, article 8. https://chicagounbound.uchicago.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1052&context=uclf
Harris, A. (2012). Gender as Soft Assembly. Hillsdale, NJ: Analytic Press. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286578264_Gender_as_Soft_Assembly
Freud, S. (1905). Three essays on the theory of sexuality. Standard Edition, 7, 123-245. https://www.sas.upenn.edu/~cavitch/pdf-library/Freud_SE_Three_Essays_complete.pdf
Nielsen, L. (1997). The role of fathers in the development of gender identity: A review of the literature. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 20(3), 337-359. https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/id/a0d09679-337b-4fd4-a0a1-621176c10d25/978-3-030-75645-1.pdf
Lacan, J. (1949). The mirror stage as formative of the I function as revealed in psychoanalytic experience. Écrits: A selection. W. W. Norton & Company. https://www.sas.upenn.edu/~cavitch/pdf-library/Lacan%20Mirror%20Stage.pdf
| This is the sandbox page where you will draft your initial Wikipedia contribution.
If you're starting a new article, you can develop it here until it's ready to go live. If you're working on improvements to an existing article, copy only one section at a time of the article to this sandbox to work on, and be sure to use an edit summary linking to the article you copied from. Do not copy over the entire article. You can find additional instructions here. Remember to save your work regularly using the "Publish page" button. (It just means 'save'; it will still be in the sandbox.) You can add bold formatting to your additions to differentiate them from existing content. |
Different psychoanalytic theories provide unique viewpoints on how gender develops, with an emphasis on the various processes and elements that influence how people understand and express their gender identity. Gender identity develops through the resolution of unconscious conflicts related to sexual desire and identification with same-sex parents, according to Freudian theory, which is based on the idea of the Oedipus complex ( Freud, 1905). As an illustration of how gender identity changes through internalisation of maternal and paternal images, object relations theory, on the other hand, concentrates on the early mother-infant relationship ( Chodorow, 1978). These theories differ in that they place a different emphasis on biological drives versus relational experiences, but they both emphasise the significance of early childhood experiences and family dynamics in gender development.
Moreover, the concept of the symbolic order and the function of language in the formation of gender identity are introduced by Lacanian psychoanalysis. Lacan (1957) asserts that people traverse the symbolic domain by means of identification with linguistic and cultural symbols that mould their gender identity and sense of self. Relational psychoanalytic viewpoints, like those put forth by Mitchell and Atwood (1997), highlight the reciprocal influence of internal and external factors and the importance of interpersonal relationships and social context in gender development. These theories recognise the intricate interaction between unconscious processes, socialisation experiences, and cultural norms in shaping people's gender identities, even though they provide different explanations for how gender develops.
Fathers have a major impact on the development of gender identities within psychoanalytic frameworks because they are essential in determining family dynamics and the internalisation of gender roles. According to Nielsen (1996), fathers play a special role in a child's gender socialisation process because they present different models of masculinity and give opportunities for gender exploration. According to Freudian theory, fathers help children internalise gender norms by acting as role models for identification and helping to resolve the Oedipus complex ( Freud, 1905). Chodorow (1978) emphasises fathers' role in helping children individuate and separate from their mothers, two crucial processes in the formation of gender identity.
Gender identity formation is significantly shaped by societal norms and expectations, which are shaped by historical and cultural circumstances. Butler (2006) argues that gender is a performance that is formed by cultural scripts and societal standards around what defines masculinity and femininity rather than a fixed quality. These gender performances are determined by the dominant cultural and social norms, which can range greatly between countries and historical eras. They are not just personal preferences.
The idea of gender intersectionality, as used in psychoanalytic frameworks, emphasises how gender identity interacts with other characteristics like race, class, and sexual orientation to create a complex identity matrix that profoundly affects a person's psychological experiences. The term "intersectionality" was initially used by Crenshaw (1989) to discuss how gender and race interact to influence the various aspects of Black women's work experiences. Psychoanalysis has extended this method to take into account the ways in which these intersections impact psychic structures and identity development. Furthermore, standard psychoanalytic models—which frequently assume binary ideas of gender—are challenged by adding the experiences of transgender and non-binary people. According to Harris (2012), psychoanalysis should be more inclusive in order to acknowledge and support the variety of gender experiences that exist, going beyond the binary to incorporate the viewpoints of transgender and non-binary people. By recognising the various ways people perceive and express their gender identities in relation to other facets of their social and personal identities, this inclusion not only improves therapeutic practices but also contributes to the advancement of psychoanalytic theory.
Psychoanalytic interpretations of gender are heavily shaped by cultural and historical contexts, which also have an impact on the conceptualisation and understanding of gender identity. For example, Freudian theories were created in a particular historical and cultural setting that mirrored the dominant perspectives on gender and sexuality in Vienna in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Psychoanalytic viewpoints, however, have also changed over time to take into account the shifts in society beliefs around gender. While acknowledging the impact of cultural norms on the formation of gender roles, Chodorow (1999) emphasises the significance of taking social context into account when attempting to understand the evolution of gender identity. In a similar vein, Person ES and peers (1983) emphasise how psychoanalytic theories must continue to adapt to shifting social dynamics by embracing ideas from queer and feminist theory to provide more inclusive and complex understandings of gender. Psychoanalytic gender theories contribute to clinical treatments in therapeutic settings by offering a framework for comprehending clients' experiences with gender identity and expression. Therapists can foster a supportive environment that acknowledges varied gender identities and experiences, hence improving psychological well-being and personal growth, by emphasising sensitivity and inclusivity in caregiving ( Butler, 2006).
Butler, J. (2006). Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity. Routledge. https://www.routledge.com/Gender-Trouble-Feminism-and-the-Subversion-of-Identity/Butler/p/book/9780415389556
Chodorow, N. (1999). The Reproduction of Mothering: Psychoanalysis and the Sociology of Gender. University of California Press. https://toleratedindividuality.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/the-reproduction-of-mothering.pdf
Person ES, Ovesey L. Psychoanalytic theories of gender identity. J Am Acad Psychoanal. 1983 Apr;11(2):203-26. doi: 10.1521/jaap.1.1983.11.2.203. PMID: 6341336. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6341336/
Crenshaw, K. (1989). Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory and Antiracist Politics. University of Chicago Legal Forum, vol. 1989, no. 1, article 8. https://chicagounbound.uchicago.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1052&context=uclf
Harris, A. (2012). Gender as Soft Assembly. Hillsdale, NJ: Analytic Press. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286578264_Gender_as_Soft_Assembly
Freud, S. (1905). Three essays on the theory of sexuality. Standard Edition, 7, 123-245. https://www.sas.upenn.edu/~cavitch/pdf-library/Freud_SE_Three_Essays_complete.pdf
Nielsen, L. (1997). The role of fathers in the development of gender identity: A review of the literature. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 20(3), 337-359. https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/id/a0d09679-337b-4fd4-a0a1-621176c10d25/978-3-030-75645-1.pdf
Lacan, J. (1949). The mirror stage as formative of the I function as revealed in psychoanalytic experience. Écrits: A selection. W. W. Norton & Company. https://www.sas.upenn.edu/~cavitch/pdf-library/Lacan%20Mirror%20Stage.pdf