PSYCHOANALYSIS AND GENDER Introduction There

There are currently many feminists who assert that the essential psychoanalytic framework of male/female relationships is not relevant to the concerns and needs of women. Indeed, as noted by Harris (1991), those holding this view argue that early Freudian notions of gender (such as those describing the male/female relationship by relating it to the mythical tale of Medusa turning warriors to stone), are actually derogatory to women. However, it is contended here that many of those arguing against the relevance of the psychoanalytic framework for explaining gender relationships are really not very familiar with this framework beyond what was originally stated by Freud. The purpose, therefore, of this paper is to provide a comprehensive discussion of gender as articulated by contemporary psychoanalytic theory.

The Role of Gender In Contemporary Psychoanalytic

According to Harris (1991), early Freudian notions of gender place men and women in a battle, a battle in which, fear, conflict and tension arise as a result of the two genders feeling afraid and conflicted regarding their anatomical genital differences. Freud (1953) characterized this battle in terms of the Greek tale of warriors turning to stone (symbol of erection) as they gaze upon Medusa. The idea that Medusa had to be killed by Perseus puts this perspective in an even more negative light in that this analogy, at its most basic level, suggests murderous and cont

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porated as part of the gender-related aspects of identity, are conceptualized symbolically as the need for security (the mother) and the need for independence (the father). These two irreconcilable needs are made manifest int he gender split which is, at least to some extent, associated with the different parenting roles of mothers and fathers. In symbolic terms, the father now represents an object of desire (confirmation of the child's independence). To the extent that the young girl can identify with the father, Benjamin (1991) asserts that she will recognize her independence. However, the anatomical differences will to some extent frustrate the identification factor. Penis envy is, therefore, conceptualized in terms of the struggle to individuate. It is important there to note that Benjamin (1991) contends, like Goldner (1991) that the splitting giving rise to penis envy is very much associated with cultural gender divisions. And it is asserted by her that when the culture changes so that both parents can equally represent security and/or independence, penis envy will no longer serve its current symbolic function. So far the focus of this paper has been that of explicating contemporary psychoanalytic views of the role of

Category: Psychology - P