Modern Woman: Implications for Psychotherapy

Abstract

The New Feminism, generating everwidening changes, has important implica tions for psychiatric theory (13) and for psychotherapy. One of the many 'Rights' movements, it is part of massive changes in society as roles become blurred, technol ogical change accelerates (16) and old institutions disappear. The women's move ment joins those who are concerned about overpopulation and suggests alternatives to childbearing as woman's prime role, and it also relates closely to movements seeking to humanize relationships and lessen man's alienation from man.The effect of the movement on women is demonstrated by membership lists of Women's Liberation groups and also by a much broader state of mind which is raising questions about the way people live -families, homes, child-rearing, jobs, the government and the nature of the sexes themselves. Many women undergoing ther apy are beginning to raise the issue of their own needs and interests instead of guiltily seeking to understand what 'neurotic prob lem' made them unable to fit into their husband's needs and plans. Some young women are echoing Engel's statement that modern marriage is founded upon the open or concealed slavery of the wife (10) and cynically point out that the presence of a uterus uniquely qualifies its owner for a