Androgyny: A Goal for Counseling?

Abstract

Although psychological androgyny is a useful and attractive concept for many counselors, a review of the literature suggests that androgyny cannot now serve as a concrete goal for sex-role counseling. It may also pose its own problems for individuals.

Sex‐Role Orientation and the Willingness to Confront Existential Issues

“…Although generalizability of these findings is constrained by the undergraduate population sampled, the results are partly corroborated by research demonstrating a relationship between masculinity and existential openness among female psychiatric inpatients (Phillips & Phillips, 1980). The findings also complement evidence of behavioral rigidity among sex-typed individuals (Cook, 1985;Windle, 1986) and suggest, conceptually, that such persons respond inauthentically to the conflict and threat that inevitably accompany consideration of nontraditional sex roles.…”

“…Willingness to confront existential issues has not been linked causally to androgyny in men and astereotypy in women, and, for some, adopting androgynous or astereotypic sex-role orientations does not yield enhancing outcomes (i.e., low selfesteem) (Cook, 1985). It seems, however, that many such young adults have developed psychological, interpersonal, and environmental resources that can facilitate courageous encounters with fundamental life tasks, such as establishing a sex-role identity.…”

“…T he extensive literature on sex roles (e.g., Cook, 1985;Taylor & Hall, 1982) reflects the contribution of feminism to contemporary psychology and greater acceptance of the situational appropriateness of masculine and feminine behavior for both sexes (Phillips & Phillips, 1980). From an existential perspective, the increased freedom from culturally prescribed sex roles presents young adults with more opportunity to establish a sex-role identity and behavioral repertoire that are not necessarily stereotypic.…”

“…Although correlational research with college students has restricted implications, it may have utility for counselors. Given the number of people seeking therapy in response to distress aroused by expanded sex-role options (Cook, 1985;Phillips & Phillips, 1980), counselors who explore existential correlates of sex-role orientation may be better able to identify and assist young adults whose choice of sex-role identity reflects a more fundamental struggle to live authentically.…”

Gender Aware Therapy: A Synthesis of Feminist Therapy and Knowledge About Gender

“…The "adjustment" or "restoration" of clients' mental health-men's or women's-to conform with traditional conceptions of gender is no longer a necessarily desirable outcome (cf. Cook, 1985).…”