Restricted accessResearch articleFirst published online 1997-10
The Fear of the Feminine in the Western Psyche and the Masculine Task of Disidentification: Their Effect on the Development of Masculine Gender Role Conflict
The article discusses the notion of “fear of the feminine” in Western culture as reflected in mythological themes. The psychoanalytic process of disidentifying from the primary love object is also suggested as a possible starting place of masculine gender role conflict. At an intrapsychic level men utilize a defense mechanism coined the “feminine projection process” to disown their feminine side.
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