Re:Gender

For me learning about all issues, including gender, race, lineage, cultural, and so, helps us think outside of our box and the client-systems' box.

I want to add that Erickson saw people who for the most part were dealing with needs that were basic to all people or all cultures and gender and (maybe) times. So, the bulk of his work was to improve their access to that which would fulfill those needs: learned resources, interpersonal communication, attitudes toward oneself and others, etc.

Having said that, there is always a need to assess what is the best client outcome likely in light of the client's needs, motivation, interests, talent, biology, physical condition, and so on. And what environment(s) do they live within and will they most likely live within later on.

Nevertheless, he encouraged people to achieve what they dreamed of and often challenged them to dream of greater things. This applied to men and women both.

The former clients of his whom I have met have been both men and women. Neither has complained at all that he reduced their options discounted them in anyway for anything, gender or otherwise. In fact, the women and men I've met (some were clients from years gone by and some friends of mine during then/now current times) who were clients of his have generally been over-achievers or outperformed and matured more then others their age regardless of gender. I can't mention any names as that would be a confidentiality mistake, so I can't do much more to support the view I've stated.

I always heard him speak of the 'person' by name (not he's a man, so therefore... or she's a woman, so therefore....). People have unique needs and have often not met them since they didn't think outside of theirs or someone else’s box (of gender, culture, lineage, race, etc).

If you are writing a paper…you’ve got your hands full with that topic and maybe it is best to forget what I've said and drill own into the class material because my words may be to brief to clarify what I mean about Erickson, clients, or the topic. If you are just gathering data to make up your mind about various ideas, I hope this helped.

Replies:

Re:Gender, by M. Ameeri, M.D., 08/19/01 What do you do - if you can summarize, by Steve Lankton, 09/08/01