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Female Homosexuality: A Modern Study of Lesbianism
Homosexual Studies, Gender Studies, Gay and Lesbian Studies, Women's Studies, Sociology
Mass Market Paperback
Published January 1, 1954
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August 19, 2024
A VERY EARLY STUDY BY A PSYCHIATIST
He wrote in the Preface to this 1954 book, "There is very little readily accessible information today concerning the subject of female homosexuality... I was surprised to learn that the only books devoted specifically to a study of sexual inversion among women was Maurice Chideckel: 'Female Sex Perversion: The Sexually Aberrated Woman as She Is'), published fifteen years ago, and another, [George Henry: 'Sex Variants,' published three years later... Yet the study of Lesbianism is no less important than the study of homosexuality among men...
"Lesbianism is capable of influencing the stability of our social structure. Much of the incompatibility between the sexes is closely allied to this problem. Unconscious or latent homosexuality in women ... constitutes an important factor in marital unhappiness being responsible in part, for our present increasing divorce rate... Because of the prevalence of female homosexuality in this country alone, the distorted ideas which most people have about it and the fact that it is a subject of interest to thinking people all over the world, the author felt inspired to write this book as a needed contribution to the field." (Pg. vii-x)
He asserts, "Homosexuality is acquired, not congenital or inherited, and represents the behavior symptom of a deep-seated and unresolved neurosis. Lesbians prefer to believe that they were born that way. They delude themselves into thinking that their homosexuality is caused by a congenital constitutional defectiveness of some kind or some hormone imbalance." (Pg. 13) He adds, "Nevertheless if the invert WANTS to be cured, and cooperates, the result is usually favorable." (Pg. 14)
Later, he amplifies, "Lesbians can be cured in they are earnest in their desire to be cured. Adequate self-knowledge via psychoanalysis is essential to effect a permanent cure. Psychoanalysis and psychotherapy constitute today the most effective means of treating sexual inversion. Since lesbianism is a SYMPTOM of a personality disorder, it may be reiterated that treatment must be aimed at influencing the personality structure rather than the treatment of homosexuality as though it were a disease entity." (Pg. 307)
He argues that the novel, 'The Well of Loneliness,' "is well named as homosexuals for the most part are lonely and unhappy people. Much of their reasoning and arguments in their own defense are merely rationalizations." (Pg. 39)
He suggests, "The above dreams tend to corroborate the thesis that promiscuity in many instances represents a form of pseudohomosexuality---the result of a flight from unconscious homosexual cravings. Through a study of dreams psychoanalysts, therefore, can arrive at important conclusions regarding unconscious mechanisms involved in female homosexuality." (Pg. 281)
It's hardly surprising to find that a book like this (nearly seventy years old) hasn't exactly "aged well." Nevertheless, persons studying the history of psychoanalytic interpretations homosexuality may find it of some historical interest.
He wrote in the Preface to this 1954 book, "There is very little readily accessible information today concerning the subject of female homosexuality... I was surprised to learn that the only books devoted specifically to a study of sexual inversion among women was Maurice Chideckel: 'Female Sex Perversion: The Sexually Aberrated Woman as She Is'), published fifteen years ago, and another, [George Henry: 'Sex Variants,' published three years later... Yet the study of Lesbianism is no less important than the study of homosexuality among men...
"Lesbianism is capable of influencing the stability of our social structure. Much of the incompatibility between the sexes is closely allied to this problem. Unconscious or latent homosexuality in women ... constitutes an important factor in marital unhappiness being responsible in part, for our present increasing divorce rate... Because of the prevalence of female homosexuality in this country alone, the distorted ideas which most people have about it and the fact that it is a subject of interest to thinking people all over the world, the author felt inspired to write this book as a needed contribution to the field." (Pg. vii-x)
He asserts, "Homosexuality is acquired, not congenital or inherited, and represents the behavior symptom of a deep-seated and unresolved neurosis. Lesbians prefer to believe that they were born that way. They delude themselves into thinking that their homosexuality is caused by a congenital constitutional defectiveness of some kind or some hormone imbalance." (Pg. 13) He adds, "Nevertheless if the invert WANTS to be cured, and cooperates, the result is usually favorable." (Pg. 14)
Later, he amplifies, "Lesbians can be cured in they are earnest in their desire to be cured. Adequate self-knowledge via psychoanalysis is essential to effect a permanent cure. Psychoanalysis and psychotherapy constitute today the most effective means of treating sexual inversion. Since lesbianism is a SYMPTOM of a personality disorder, it may be reiterated that treatment must be aimed at influencing the personality structure rather than the treatment of homosexuality as though it were a disease entity." (Pg. 307)
He argues that the novel, 'The Well of Loneliness,' "is well named as homosexuals for the most part are lonely and unhappy people. Much of their reasoning and arguments in their own defense are merely rationalizations." (Pg. 39)
He suggests, "The above dreams tend to corroborate the thesis that promiscuity in many instances represents a form of pseudohomosexuality---the result of a flight from unconscious homosexual cravings. Through a study of dreams psychoanalysts, therefore, can arrive at important conclusions regarding unconscious mechanisms involved in female homosexuality." (Pg. 281)
It's hardly surprising to find that a book like this (nearly seventy years old) hasn't exactly "aged well." Nevertheless, persons studying the history of psychoanalytic interpretations homosexuality may find it of some historical interest.
Displaying 1 of 1 review