Using Jung's archetypes, one can derive models of gender specific behavior for gay men. While not necessarily endorsing the existence of a priori universals, we suggest that these archetypal templates are socially constructed models of behavior. Further, just as many within the mythopoetic movement have used various mythic themes like the Wild Man, King Warrior, Magician, and Lover for heterosexual men; we suggest that mythic themes can also be used to guide gay men. These models/guides are discussed as well as clinical implications for therapists.
BlazinaC. (1997). 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 Journal of Men's Studies, 6, 55–68.
2.
BlyR. (1990). Iron John. New York: Addison-Wesley.
3.
DotyW. G. (1995). Everything you never wanted to know about the dark, lunar side of the trickster. A Journal of Archetype and Culture, 57, 17–35.
4.
DowningC. (1989). Myths and mysteries of same-sex love. New York: Continuum.
5.
HarperP. B. (1992). Racism and homophobia as reflections on their perpetrators. In BlumenfeldW. J. (Ed.), Homophobia: How we all pay the price (pp. 57–66). Boston: Beacon Press.
6.
HopckeR. H. (1989). Jung, Jungians, & homosexuality. Boston: Shambhala.
7.
HunterN. D.MichaelsonS. E., & StoddardT. B. (Eds.). (1992). The rights of lesbians and gay men. Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois University Press.
8.
JohnsonR. (1988). He! Understanding masculine psychology, based upon the legend of Parsifal and his search for the Holy Grail, and using Jungian psychological concepts. New York: Harper & Row.
9.
JungC. G. (1969). Four archetypes (HullR. F. C., Trans.). Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. (Original work published 1959)
10.
McDonaldH. B., & SteinhornA. I. (1990). Homosexuality: A practical guide to counseling lesbians, gay men and their families. New York: Continuum.
11.
MooreR., & GilletteD. (1990). King, warrior, magician, lover: Rediscovering the archetypes of the mature masculine. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco.
12.
PleckJ. H. (1981). The myth of masculinity. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
13.
SimonsenG.BlazinaC., & WatkinsC. E. (2000). Gender role conflict and psychological well-being among gay men. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 47, 85–89.
14.
UlanovA., & UlanovB. (1987). The witch and the clown: Two archetypes of human sexuality. Wilmette, IL: Chiron Publications.
