Journal of Feminist Family Therapy 

About: Journal of Feminist Family Therapy is an academic journal published by Haworth Press. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Family therapy & Narrative. It has an ISSN identifier of 0895-2833. Over the lifetime, 574 publications have been published receiving 6415 citations.

Seeking Support: Transgender Client Experiences with Mental Health Services

Abstract: Mental health research and practice has traditionally maintained a view of transgender people through the narrow lens of gender identity disorder. Recently, broader understandings of gender have influenced affirmative therapy with transgender clients. The purpose of the present research is to critically review historical views of transgender clients and to highlight experiences of transgender clients in therapy. Feminist phenomenology informed in-depth interviews with seven people who self-identify as transgender. Four themes emerged: the purposes transgender clients sought therapy, problems in practice, therapist reputation, and transgender affirmative therapy. Transgender affirmative practice and training implications are discussed.

Images of Gender, Race, Age, and Sexual Orientation in Disney Feature-Length AnimatedFilms

Abstract: The Disney Corporation is one of the largest media companies in the world. Disney's full-length animated films have been a popular form of children's entertainment for more than 60 years. No research to date has examined the portrayals of the organizing societal principles of gender, race, age, and sexual orientation across a wide sample of these films. This study examines the portrayal of these organizing principles in a sample of 26 full-length animated Disney films. Findings indicate that gender, racial, and cultural stereotypes have persisted over time in Disney films. Few examples of positive portrayals emerged, but were increasingly common in later films. Marginalized groups were portrayed negatively, rarely, or not at all. Clinical implications for therapists are provided.

Babies and Bosses

Abstract: SUMMARY Mothers' increased entry to paid work has not been equally matched by fathers' extra unpaid work. Managing multiple and conflicting roles is a source of stress for mothers, which can impact negatively on their health and family relationships. Direct assistance provided by some governments (such as subsidised childcare and long paid parental leave) has been found effective in reducing gender inequalities in domestic labour and so also easing mothers' overwork and stress. The current policy context is a projected labour shortage for the coming half century, caused by low birthrates and an aging population. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Babies and Bosses series (2002-2005) makes recommendations to the governments of its member states on how to obtain still more increases in women's labour force participation without further falls in the birthrate. Will this be liberating for mothers or add to their burdens and stress? Much depends on the generosity or otherwise of g...

The Good Mother, the Good Father, and the Good Parent: Gendered Definitions of Parenting

Abstract: Focus groups were conducted with parents of young children to explore definitions of good parenting. For mothers, good mothering is distinct from good parenting, and includes attention to detail resulting in gatekeeping efforts to control fathers' participation. For fathers, good fathering and good parenting are the same. Though providing relatively little child care, fathers feel they have access to children when they want to be involved. They do not perceive paid work or maternal gatekeeping as obstacles to good parenting, but view their role as equally influential despite disparities in the types and amount of care provided.

Cultural and Gender Accountability in the 'Just Therapy' Approach

Abstract: This paper addresses the issues of cultural and gender accountability within therapeutic organisations. It is written from the perspective of a Samoan woman and a Pakeha (white) man in an agency that is structured into three cultural sections. The paper discusses the issues and agency experience around two critical questions. How do workers, women and men and people of different cultures in an agency or institution, protect against gender and culture bias in their work on a day to day basis? Furthermore, how do they do this in societies where sexist and racist assumptions are integral part of the upbringing and way of life, as they are in most modern industrial states? The authors draw deeply from their agency experience as they outline the possibility of responsible partnerships between the genders and cultures. In doing so they address issues of pain, vulnerability, cultural caucusing, institutional space and the convergence of meaning that was previously conflictual.