This paper attempts to answer the question “should queer theory be considered a theory for psychotherapy?” This paper takes the stand that queer theory must be considered a theory for psychotherapy.
Queer theory stemmed from the fields of women’s and queer studies in the early 1990s. This theory concentrates on mismatches between desire, gender and sex (Pinar, 1998). To a larger extent, this theory is associated with gay, lesbian and bisexual subjects. In the recent past, this theory has incorporated other areas such as gender corrective surgery, gender ambiguity, intersexuality and cross dressing (Pinar, 1998). As such, queer theory evaluates the constitutive discourse characterizing homosexuality. Queer theory has necessitated the examination of a wide variety of literatures, which attempt to justify what is normal and the boundaries of normality (Wolters, 2013).
It is important to note that what people perceive as femaleness or maleness, as well as what constitutes normality, are all social constructs. Theorists have for decades debated on what constitutes gender (Nicholson, 1990). As the world continues to advance, the perceptions that people have with respect to what amounts to femaleness or maleness, as well as what constitutes normality continue to change. Consequently, many people, scholars and various institutions differ on what constitutes normality and femaleness or maleness. For these reasons, there must be a theory that guides people and the perceptions that people hold with respect to these aspects. Queer theory is an emerging theory that guides people’s underpinnings with respect to sexuality and normality.
In summary, this paper has shown that queer theory is useful in the provision of guidance with respect to what constitutes gender, sexuality and normality. Of late, there have been heated debates and misunderstandings owing to matters of gaysim, lesbianism, sexuality and normality. Having a theoretical basis for the understanding of these aspects is essential. Therefore, queer theory should be considered a theory for psychotherapy.
References
Nicholson, E. (1990). Gender Trouble. Retrieved on 1 March 2014 from http://autof.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/butler-judith-gender-trouble-feminism-and-the- subversion-of-identity-1990.pdf
Pinar, William F. (1998). Queer Theory in Education, Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Wolters, E. (2013). What the Fuck is Queer Theory? Retrieved on 1 March 2014 from http://www.critical-theory.com/what-the-fuck-is-queer-theory/.
