Post 66

Hello again 

Sigmund Freud and his fellow analysts recognized the importance of the subconscious mind when considering motivations underlying behavior. However, they were grossly wrong in interpreting male infants’ bond with and love for their mothers in terms of adult romantic intrigue. In consequence of their faulty theory, they encouraged gay men to have sex with women, which amounted to sending boys to do men’s work. Role-estranged youth had not had the social and psychological experiences necessary to value this expression of normal growth and maturity. The psychoanalysts also failed to understand how these children came to value and pursue sex with others of their own gender in the first place.

The 1960’s, was a time many men flocked to analysists who advertised cure for gays and claimed they had done so quickly and routinely. Irving Bieber and his fellow psychiatrists launched a significant, first-of-its-kind study wherein they discovered important details regarding homosexuality. They compared the family backgrounds of 106 homosexual men and 100 heterosexual men. They found significant differences between the two groups. Almost all fathers of homosexual men were described as having been explicitly detached and hostile. These findings were so regularly apparent, the researchers emphasized, “We have come to the conclusion that a constructive, supportive, warmly related father precludes the possibility of a homosexual son …”[i]

Notwithstanding the extent and clarity of these findings regarding fathers and gay sons, in their summary chapter the authors concluded:  “…fear of heterosexuality underlies homosexuality, e.g., the frequent fear of disease or injury to the genitals, significantly associated with fear and aversion to female genitalia …accompanying actual or contemplated heterosexual behavior.”

Psychoanalysts got it so wrong. The motivational issues for gays concern childhood relational and identity needs, not adult sexuality. With zealous adherence to Oedipal precepts, no wonder they failed to support these men properly.

Bieber, I., (Ed.) Homosexuality: A Psychoanalytic Study, (1962), p. 310-311)

Ibid, p. 303.

[i] Bieber, I., (Ed.) Homosexuality: A Psychoanalytic Study, (1962), p.