Gender and Destiny

Abstract

The author critiques the idea of 4 distinct waves of feminism, instead defining feminism as one overarching continuous movement with political, sociocultural, personal, and spiritual currents comingling in different proportions in different historical eras. The ways that psychological theory has evolved in tandem with feminist thought is also discussed with emphasis on recent developments in relational theory, which emphasizes mutuality, empathy, and dialogue in the patient-therapist relationship. The potential of relational psychology to contribute to social and individual transformation is explored with examples from the author's own experiences in treatment—first with a traditional Freudian analyst and more recently with a relational therapist. The psychic costs for men and women of current gender-linked norms and social arrangements are discussed along with the subversive potential of putting feminist consciousness together with psychology in order to create a vision that helps women to reclaim their voices and men their hearts.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jane Fonda

Jane Fonda is the Founder and Chair of the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (G-CAPP) and the Founder of the Jane Fonda Center for Adolescent Reproductive Health at Emory University's School of Medicine. An Academy Award-winning actor and producer, she is also the author of My Life So Far (Random House, 2005).