Dr. Tabin's suggestion that Joseph's homosexuality may represent, at least in part, a compliance, is intriguing, and certainly there is alot in his family history to invite speculation. Joesph remembers being beaten from a very early age on a regular basis by his bible-thumping mother; he recalls being chased around the house and "whipped" with a belt for accidentally knocking over a chest of drawers. His father, on the other hand, "never laid a hand" on him (although he was very critical). Joseph remembers his mother threatening to cut off his penis for touching himself; he believes he may have been as young as three. Even from very early childhood his identity -- not just as a male -- but as a sexual being at all, was threatened. After his mother died (age 11) he became, in effect, his father's housekeeper, cleaning, cooking and doing laundry. The other siblings and half-siblings had by then moved away. Joseph recalls identifying with girls and "girl's games" for as far back as he can remember, and being teased and called a sissy, also. Speculations about Joseph's orientation have not been a central part of the treament, because this does not seem to be what he is enlisting my help for; moreover, the idea that his homosexuality may be a "sickness" (his father's view) is extremely guilt-provoking for him -- connoting that it is his "fault." However, I think the idea of compliance is important to consider, and I welcome others' ideas on this.
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