The Trouble With Gender

Abstract

This article discusses gender in relation to culturally derived scripts that contribute to identity confusion. This exploration is aided by the postmodernist perspectives of several authors who critique the notion of gender as a fixed aspect of identity. Gender is considered as a projection of cultural scripting, which influences the ways in which identity is expressed. Through the lens of Drego’s (1996) model of group culture (developed from Berne, 1963), the author offers suggestions for working with internalized cultural influences that are expressed in gendered behaviors and given gendered meaning. She proposes that psychotherapists consider their own gender scripting and, for the benefit of therapeutic practice, develop their own psychological androgyny.

• gender
• identity
• cultural script
• psychological androgyny

Notes

Declaration of Conflicting Interests The author declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Funding The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Suzanne Johnson

Author Biography

Suzanne Johnson, MSc (psychotherapy), BN, is in private psychotherapy practice in Wellington, Aotearoa/New Zealand. She works from a relational perspective with diverse presentations and dilemmas. Suzanne is currently a Provisional Teaching and Supervising Transactional Analyst (psychotherapy) and a member of the Wellington Transactional Analysis Training Institute providing supervision and training. Suzanne has a particular interest in cultural theories and cultural context and how these impact identity. She can be reached at PO Box 8076, The Terrace, Wellington, 6143, Aotearoa/New Zealand; email: [email protected].