A psychodynamic view of male homosexuality : oedipal and pre-oedipal

Abstract

For many years psychodynamically oriented research into homosexuality has been a topic for controversy. The "gay" community as well as many more sociologically oriented researchers see any investigation of the psychodynamics of this orientation as implying pathology and therefore contributing to stigmatization of homosexuals. More recently, however, psychoanalytic writers have questioned traditional assumptions and pointed to a need to look at the diversity of homosexual adaptations. Of interest in a more recent perspective is Socarides' (1979) classification, distinguishing between pre-oedipal and oedipal types of homosexuals. This paper argues that while generalization about "homosexuals" is impossible, a psychodynamic approach is useful in looking at the meaning and adaptive function of the homosexual orientation in each individual client and thus understand it in relation to personality organization and behaviour. A brief summary of psychoanalytic theory of male homosexuality is given with an emphasis on Socarides' classification. Two case studies are presented in an attempt to illustrate the usefulness of a psychodynamic approach and of the oedipal - pre-oedipal distinction. It is suggested that this distinction be seen more as a continuum of varying levels of ego-functioning.