SEX ROLE DIFFERENCES IN THE THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY MOVING FROM SEXISM TO ANDROGYNY

• NCJ Number: 66813
• Author(s): S J LEVY; M BROWDY
• Date Published: Unknown
• Length: 11 pages
• Corporate Author: TFL Press - Training for Living, Inc
• Sale Source: TFL Press - Training for Living, Inc
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

SEXIST ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES WHICH ADVERSELY AFFECT REHABILITATION OF FEMALE DRUG ABUSERS ARE DISCUSSED; OTHER PROBLEMS CONFRONTING FEMALE STAFF AND RESIDENTS OF THE THERAPEUTIC COMMUNITY ARE HIGHLIGHTED.

Abstract

SEXISM REFERS TO THOSE ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES WHICH EFFECTIVELY DISCRIMINATE AGAINST PERSONS OF ONE SEX AND ARE FOUNDED UPON RIGIDLY ASSIGNED BELIEFS AND OPINIONS CONCERNING SEX DIFFERENCES. ANDROGYNY, IN CONTRAST, REFERS TO A DEFINITION OF HUMAN TRAITS, BEHAVIORS, AND ATTRIBUTES WHICH IS NOT LIMITED BY ONE'S SEX. LITTLE IS KNOWN ABOUT THE ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES AFFECTING WOMEN IN DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT PROGRAMS. THE FEW STUDIES WHICH HAVE BEEN CONDUCTED REVEAL THAT THE VIEWS OF THE GENERAL SOCIETY, MORE THAN THOSE BELIEFS CONSIDERED UNIQUE TO THE DRUG SCENE, ARE APPLICABLE TO ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES CONCERNING WOMEN IN THE TREATMENT COMMUNITY. WOMEN ARE VIEWED BY BOTH STAFF AND CLIENTS AS MORE DEPENDENT, EMOTIONAL, AND SICKER THAN MEN. PRACTICES REGARDING JOB ASSIGNMENTS AND TRAINING INDICATE A STEROTYPED VIEW OF THE SEXES. FEMALE CLIENTS COMPLAIN OF MORE PROBLEMS THAN DO MEN, AND THE STAFFS APPEAR TO BE LESS PERCEPTIVE IN DEALING WITH FEMALE CLIENTS THAN WITH MALES. MOST WOMEN ENTERING THE TREATMENT COMMUNITY HAVE HAD REPEATED NEGATIVE EXPERIENCES REGARDING THEIR OWN FEMININITY AND CONCEPT OF WOMANHOOD. FOR MANY, DRUG ABUSE REPRESENTED A FORM OF SELF-MEDICATION WHICH TEMPORARILY ASSUAGED NEGATIVE FEELINGS ABOUT THEMSELVES. FEMALE CLIENTS WANT TO BE LIKE OTHER WOMEN IN SOCIETY AS THEY PERCEIVE THEM, I.E., TO BE SEXUALLY ALLURING AND TO BE PASSIVE AND SUBMISSIVE IN RELATING TO MEN. HOWEVER, THE TREATMENT EXPERIENCE PLACES SUCH A HIGH PREMIUM ON LOUD, ASSERTIVE, AGGRESSIVE, AND TOUGH BEHAVIOR THAT WOMEN ARE THROWN INTO A DILEMMA. IN ADDITION, MOST PROGRAMS ARE MALE CONCEIVED, RUN, AND ORIENTED. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE CONCEPT OF ANDROGYNY SHOULD BE EXAMINED INDEPTH, AND THAT ITS APPLICATION TO THOSE WORKING WITHIN THE TREATMENT COMMUNITY WOULD BENEFIT CLIENTS OF BOTH SEXES. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (LWM)