Male Consciousness: New Perspectives

Psychiatry and the changing world of man are subjects of new awareness. Both are concerned with evolving human needs and social systems. Within the historical developments of dynamic psychiatry are conceptual structures of man and woman.

Freud's significant contribution to the field of psychiatry occurred at the turn of the twentieth Century. His theory of personality development was an effort to understand people's inner worlds. Freud was a product of Western civilization and the Victorian era, a repressed society involved with role models. Freud's cultural milieu was suffocated by inhibitions for both men and women. However, for man at the turn of the century to explore sexuality and anticipate a more mutual responsibility in the dyadic relationship was liberating. Freud's theory of sexuality brought to consciousness the need for freedom. He evolved a concept that has had an enormous influence on Western society. His constructs have allowed for the elaboration of other therapeutic modalities and changes in stereotypic roles.

Recently, people have been critical of Freudian psychology. Women have felt degraded by Freud's theories, but, interestingly, men have not been critical of his unrealistic expectations of them. Sexuality was a metaphor that could be extended to other areas of life. There is no question that some of Freud's postulations might have been inaccurate, but one cannot deny that his constructs were progressive. As science, culture, and technology advance, new insights are made. Psychiatry has had many women involved in its development. Most women, however, are aware that they have lagged behind men in professional accomplishments.

Women first initiated the “Women For” groups. These and other organizations made them aware of their own needs, lacks, and desires for gratification. Life has changed, and the family has evolved into new subsystems. Women began to pursue other areas of satisfaction. Did man really repress her, or have new awarenesses made her d