Unleashing Our Unknown Selves: An Inquiry Into the Future of Femininity and Masculinity ISBN-13: 9780275935870

Author: Morrow, France

Brand: Bloomsbury Academic

Number Of Pages: 288

ISBN-13: 9780275935870

Release Date: 30-12-1990

Languages: English

Binding: Hardcover

Package Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches

Details: Product Description

Unleashing Our Unknown Selves begins with a critique of central paradigms in contemporary social science and ends with a provocative new theory of psychosexual development. Dr. Morrow brilliantly demonstrates why men are just as damaged as women by our present patriarchal sex/gender system. . . . I highly recommend [it] as a primary text for graduate courses in human development, psychology of gender, and cultural studies.
Joseph L. White, Professor of Psychology, Psychiatry and Comparative Culture, University of California, Irvine

Described as a hopeful book, Unleashing Our Unknown Selves presents a new theory of psychosexual development and, concurrently, of psychosocial evolution. France Morrow claims that the sexual division of nature was a primordial organizing principle for all cultures. However, evolving qualities and psychological characteristics have been assigned by culture to women and men. Real biological differences have, over millennia, been incorporated, absorbed, or superceded by cultural differences. The resultant schism between femininity and masculinity represents the deepest cleavage in the human species, crippling both men and women through the cultural subordination of women. Morrow believes that to be truly whole, both sexes must be allowed to release the repressed qualities of the opposite sex.

France Morrows interdisciplinary focus finds hope in the explanatory power of a theory which systematically explores the crippling of both sexes by the cultural invisibility of women. The books chapters explore, among other subjects, the structure of gender evolution, Sigmund Freuds impact on the future of femininity and masculinity, and the internal repression of the majority self. Morrows study affirms the dependence of human survival on the integrating of our feminine selves with our masculine selves. Her work is particularly directed to courses in developmental and social psychology, gender studies, sociology, and womens studies.

Review

“A classic study . . . an important perspective in gender development and social evolution. . . . Many will build gender-inclusive, interdisciplinary studies of their own upon this solid base.”-Dee L. Aker Director, Graduate School of Human Behavior United States International University

“Unleashing Our Unknown Selves begins with a critique of central paradigms in contemporary social science and ends with a provocative new theory of psychosexual development. Dr. Morrow brilliantly demonstrates why men are just as damaged as women by our present patriarchal sex/gender system. . . . I highly recommend [it] as a primary text for graduate courses in human development, psychology of gender, and cultural studies.”- Joseph L. White Professor of Psychology, Psychiatry and Comparative Culture University of California, Irvine

“Unleashing Our Unknown Selves is a masterful and powerfully argued exploration of the nature, development, and consequences of the crucial, universal, and inevitable experience of psychosexual development. At the same time, it draws upon the tradition of Freud and his heirs, and also goes beyond them into new ground. It is reasonable to conclude from this book that gender and its development is the salient feature of individual life and group activity; and that, important as it is, it has never been adequately understood before Professor Morrows book.”- Jay Martin Leo S. Bing Professor University of Southern California

About the Author

FRANCE MORROW is an instructor at the United States International University, Graduate School of Human Behavior, in Irvine, California. Ms. Morrow has taught graduate level courses in the fields of psychology, sociology, ethnic (womens) studies, and the fine arts, and is an active supporter of environmental and womens movements.