ERIC Number: EJ718362
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2005-Jan
Pages: 15
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0197-6664
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Available Date: N/A
Gender and Sexual Orientation in Family Therapy: Toward a Postgender Approach
Knudson-Martin, Carmen; Laughlin, Martha J.
Family Relations, v54 n1 p101-115 Jan 2005
We examine how the issues of gender and sexual orientation have been addressed in family therapy and identify critical issues as the field defines itself in a postmodern, inclusive era. We show how unintentional bias and creation of the category of "other" persist throughout the history of clinical practice despite a rise of interest in diversity. We suggest that family therapy approaches have been based on a view of sex-gender that creates dichotomous categories, confounds gender and sexual orientation, and limits flexibility. A postgender approach organized around a relationship model based on equality rather than gender is advocated. Obstacles to postgender practice are identified, and guidelines for practice and challenges for the future are discussed.
Descriptors: Therapy, Sexual Orientation, Family Counseling, Counseling Techniques, Gender Issues, Social Bias, Homosexuality
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A