This paper was presented at the "Child and Adolescent Mental Health" conference, Royal Ottawa Hospital, May 10, 1990
This presentation attempts to clarify the function of homosexual imagery in pubertal and adolescent males. Currently science has found no consensus on the symbolism of such imagery. This lack of consensus appears to have its roots in the confusion that surrounds the issue of male sexual orientation. Homosexual imagery is generally viewed as an indicator of possible homosexual inclination. This interpretation offers very little to the young male who is in the process of establishing his masculine identity. In order to achieve our purpose, we will make use of a new concept which sheds some light on the issue of male sexual identity. The "glasshouse concept", a Cognitive Developmental approach, suggests that men's psychosexual development deserves special attention due to the impact that exposed sexuality has on the male's psyche. The concept of "exposed sexuality" refers to: the external nature of the male genitals and the observable characteristic of the male sexual response. The feeling of shame that these two aspects of the male physiology generate will be discussed. Shame about the erection is a universal phenomena. This has been confirmed by cross-cultural studies. For this reason, we believe shame is at the root of the confusion surrounding the issue of male sexual identity. Two aspects of this confusion are of particular interest in this presentation. The first one, mentioned earlier, refers to the belief that homosexual imagery reflects homosexual inclination. It is my hypothesis that homosexual imagery is a form of self-representation. Thus, it is a manifestation of the male's need to internalize his own sexuality, and more specifically, his own genitals. The other aspect of this confusion is found in the actual psychotherapeutic relationship. Here, both patients and therapists consciously and unconsciously tend to avoid therapy situations that might trigger shame. This phenomenon is not surprising. Shame is a difficult feeling. In fact, its importance in the understanding of male sexual identity has been conspicuously under researched. A comprehensive helping model to meet the needs of the male youth is urgently needed. We will suggest some guidelines for such a model. This model should be flexible enough to accommodate the needs of the relatively well functioning young male, as well as the needs of those exhibiting destructive behaviour. Particular attention will be paid to suicide, aggression, and sexual abuse. There is a link between these destructive behaviours and the anxiety that homosexual imagery generates in the young male. This link will be illustrated in this presentation, as its understanding is crucial. Furthermore, we will refer to the audio[1]cassette "The Reality of Men" which contains information that is basic for the development of a helping model. As a therapeutic method we suggest Rational Emotive Therapy because it offers effective ways of clarifying information about the self. This material will be presented in the form of a short lecture. Its content is relevant to those working directly with pubertal and adolescent males: educators, childcare workers, counselors, social workers, and psychotherapists. It is also relevant to researchers interested in sexuality, criminology, and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases
Complete article can be found at ROH.pdf.