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The term “image of man” is discussed in this paper from the social (interpersonal) as well as individual (intrapsychic) perspective. Although the latter, with all of its psychodynamic implications, is of paramount importance to us as analysts, it can not be validly studied except in the context of the prevailing social images to which the individual is exposed and under pressure to conform. Social, economic, political and religious factors play a crucial role in the creation and molding of prevalent social images.
That there has been an increasing freedom of sexual expression along healthy and unhealthy channels is, I believe, apparent to everyone. The causes for this phenomenon are multiple. The dynamic turmoil and flux of enormous revolutionary changes ushered in by the recent world war, the emerging atomic age and changing political conditions have contributed to increasing the tempo of modern life. There exists greater restlessness and pervasive anxiety in people. The complex problems of urbanization with its resultant increase in alienation of people in their relationships to each other have added to man's basic isolation, loneliness and anxiety. To this can be added the rootlessness of a modern technological, impersonal society. These massive political, economic and social changes are altering our very existence. There is a dynamic equilibrium between the interpersonal and the intrapsychic. These revolutionary social changes are also altering the sexual images of man.
Our prime interest is in the sexual image or core gender-identity and the