Thread by @PamelaParesky

By using the term “so-called” in this tweet, the APA implicitly acknowledges the capriciousness of taking a basket of what they call “traits” (though many are actually behaviors) and labeling them together, “traditional masculinity.”
(@cjprofman, @clayroutledge, @CHSommers)
1/

https://twitter.com/APA/status/1082401926782861316

Identifying behaviors that are empirically found to be both psychologically harmful to those who engage in them, and damaging to their relationships (such as suppressing emotions and masking distress) is important. Noting gender differences in frequency/likelihood is helpful.
2/

But why label that “traditional masculinity”? Why lump together positive traits such as risk-taking, protectiveness, and courage, with negative behaviors such as aggression and violence?
3/

The fact that men are on average more likely to display these traits & behaviors than are women doesn’t make it helpful to put them all together and call the whole list “traditional masculinity.”

4/

If they were all so tightly correlated that the presence of one trait or behavior meant that all the other traits & behaviors were also present, then it could be useful to give that cluster of traits & behaviors a diagnostic label.

5/

But even then, choosing to use “masculinity” (even with a qualifier) to describe pathology is an ideological “tell,” and is not even close to effective in encouraging:
1) practitioners’ unconditional positive regard for their “traditionally masculine” clients ...

6/

or 2) client trust in the therapeutic relationship.

Imagine what would happen if the APA identified things like “social manipulation,” “spreading rumors to damage others’ reputations & relationships,” “social exclusion/social displays of status & dominance,” ...

7/

“incorporating their children into their identity,”“emotional lability,” and “trait neuroticism” along with “nurturing,” “being committed to more than self-interest,” “traits of tending and befriending” (... etc.). And then called the whole thing “traditional femininity.”

8/

The problem is not in identifying things that are truly damaging to people, or that the majority of the people who could benefit from professional help regarding those things are men. The problem is that the APA’s ideology is showing. It’s unethical.

9/

Unless a client comes in with a concern about how “the patriarchy” has affected him, “the patriarchy” is irrelevant in his psychotherapy. In fact, if a client presented with a concern about the negative effects of his “traditional masculinity,” ...

10/

a good cognitive behavioral therapist would likely help the client question whether “traditional masculinity” is a helpful way to frame the problem. The client might even identify it as the cognitive distortion known as “labeling,” and then identify what the real issues are.

11/

The bottom line is that potential clients must trust that clinicians will respect them, treat them w/ dignity, & approach them w/ positive regard. Academic & clinical institutions must be ideologically neutral. Ideology must not drive the way clinical problems are framed.

[end]