‘The betrayal’, 2013.
Oil painting of Blerta Xhomo, Albanian artist.
www.blertaxhomo.com
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Critical thinking about sexism, patriarchy, and misogyny is not new but Sue Einhorn’s Foulkes Lecture in 2021 made it clear that group analysts and therapists need to reflect upon social structures and pressures undermining women’s ability to thrive and their sense of selves.
‘We are all co-participants in patriarchy and misogyny. It is the air we breathe.’ (Levine, 2021, p.504)
Therefore, this Special Interest Group seeks to think further, e.g. in order
• to explore everyday experiences of (internalized) misogyny and the harm patriarchy does to all genders,
• to help participants to get in touch with our own (internalized) misogyny and the hindering conscious and unconscious processes undermining non-stereotypical thinking,
• to explore and better understand the cultural dimensions of patriarchy, of motherhood, of sisterhood, of how society relates to women’s bodies
• to think about dynamics in our groups and how transferences are shaped by the gender of the convener, and
• to challenge group analytic theory and its assumptions made by ‘founding fathers’ and others, e.g. by using gender lenses.
In an international women’s group, we started with a large group session in April 2022 and completed a first round of 10 inspiring online meetings until June 2023 (format: small groups and one large group; 2.5 hours). At the GASi Symposium in Belgrade in August 2023, we had an in-person workshop with over 40 participants which left us with lots of food for thought, energy, and motivation to continue this joint work. We, the admin team of five decided that after a short break, would like to initiate a new cycle in 2024, this time with a different format, meaning only large groups on alternating Fridays and Saturdays to accommodate different work schedules and cultural traditions.
Schedule for 2024:
08:00 PT / 11:00 ET / 16:00 GMT / 17:00 CET / 21:30 IST (beware of times, the US and Europe have daylight saving time in winter which does not apply to India for instance)
- Sat Jan 13, 2024
- Fri Feb 16, 2024
- Sat March 16, 2024
- Fri April 19, 2024
- Sat May 25, 2024
- Fri June 21, 2024
- Sat July 20, 2024
- [August Break]
- Fri Sept 20, 2024
- Sat Oct 19, 2024
- Fri Nov 15, 2024
- Sat Dec 14, 2024
Our goal is to develop ‘the freedom to think with the heart and feel with the mind’ (Einhorn, 2021, p.498). We are happy if you want to join us on this exciting journey of further exploration and reflection. It is an open women-only group and you are invited to attend whenever possible. Please contact Maria directly via email indicating your interest. You will get further information, an invite to the SIG Google group and the Zoom link before the scheduled meetings.
Best wishes,
Sue Einhorn (UK)
Irena Beqja Shtraza (Albania)
Mia Stenersen (Norway)
Susan Convery (USA)
Maria Puschbeck-Raetzell (Germany) – m.puschbeck@gmail.com
Einhorn, S. (2021). From a woman’s point of view. How internalized misogyny affects relationships between women. 44th Foulkes Lecture. Group Analysis 54(4), 481-498.
Levine, R. (2021). A walk into the men’s room. A response to Sue Einhorn’s 44th Foulkes Lecture. Group Analysis 54(4), 499-508.