Freud

11 Pages 2862 Words

ons of science and nationality. The nuclear unit was a microcosm of “factual” thoughts at that time. Darwin’s theory of evolution and superiority of the species, not only led to European Imperialism and subordination of “inferior” races but male subordination of the “inferior” sex. Whereas the Victorian man was dominant, strong, rational and intellectually superior, the Victorian woman was characterized as submissive, weak, indecisive and emotionally expressive. Like Darwin’s belief that each species' particular qualities provide it with a unique niche to fulfill, men and women, because of their contrasting characteristics, encompass distinct and separate functions. A man’s strength and intellect allow him to provide for his family. Conversely, a woman’s sphere of influence belonged in the household where her nurturing character appropriates her to raise children while being protected by the harsh elements of the outside world. A man’s reserved nature would result in destructive child rearing and a feeble woman could not survive in the ruthless competition of the job force. Because Darwin’s theory of evolution was scientifically confirmed as “fact,” the encompassed gender roles were therefore unquestionable. Freud’s “unquestionable” role in society is fulfilled by psychoanalysis because his masculine intellect allows him to cure and consequently protect his emotional female patients. But surprisingly, the concept of the fulfilled woman, as prescribed by Darwinian theory, does not assist Freud in curing his patients. His patients’ psychosomatic problems fulfill some unknown, unconscious desire that incredulously disrupts her ability to perform female duties. As a man, it was bewildering to Freud why his women patients had illnesses that forced them to refuse their gender roles. Interestingly, Freud made more progress with his female patients when he delineated from his ideas of women and tried to iden...