Gender and identity, or gender identity, is a topic frequently on the agenda in our society. It increasingly impacts families and counselors.
Please review the textbook readings and the Read: Interrogating Gender-Exploratory Therapy article for this week, along with utilizing the Bible in your discussion. Identify research methods you believe were useful and respond to the prompts given below.
How might the social cognitive theory of gender impact ones understanding of a young person who comes to counseling about their gender identity?
What clarity can be gained from the Bible concerning gender/sexuality and morality (use scripture aside from the Genesis account of male and female)? Include at least 2 separate portions of scripture.
Our text contains a section, Anatomy is Destiny, detailing the works of Freud and Eriksons views on gender. How does this information compare and/or contrast with the given article?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Understanding Gender Identity: Integrating Social Cognitive Theory, Biblical Perspectives, and Psychological Theories
In contemporary society, discussions surrounding gender identity have gained prominence, influencing families, counselors, and individuals navigating their identities. By integrating insights from the social cognitive theory of gender, Biblical perspectives on gender/sexuality, and psychological theories by Freud and Erikson with contemporary research methods, a comprehensive understanding of gender identity can be achieved.
Social Cognitive Theory of Gender in Counseling
The social cognitive theory of gender posits that individuals learn and develop their understanding of gender through observation, imitation, and reinforcement of behaviors modeled by others within their social environment. When a young person seeks counseling regarding their gender identity, this theory suggests that their perceptions and beliefs about gender have been shaped by societal norms, role models, and personal experiences. Counselors can utilize this framework to explore how the individual’s gender identity has been influenced by external factors and help them navigate their sense of self in a supportive and validating manner.
Biblical Perspectives on Gender/Sexuality
Leviticus 18:22
“You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.” This verse from Leviticus emphasizes the traditional view on homosexuality and highlights the moral guidelines related to sexual behavior.
Galatians 3:28
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” This passage from Galatians emphasizes the equality and unity of all individuals in the eyes of God, transcending societal constructs of gender and identity.
Freud and Erikson’s Views on Gender vs. Interrogating Gender-Exploratory Therapy
Freud’s psychoanalytic theory emphasized the role of unconscious drives, particularly the Oedipus complex, in shaping gender identity. Erikson, on the other hand, focused on psychosocial development stages, highlighting the importance of identity formation during adolescence. In contrast, the article “Interrogating Gender-Exploratory Therapy” likely adopts a more contemporary and client-centered approach, emphasizing self-exploration, self-acceptance, and affirming individuals’ diverse gender identities. This approach contrasts with Freud’s emphasis on unconscious conflicts and Erikson’s stage-based view of identity development.
In conclusion, by integrating social cognitive theory insights into counseling practices, reflecting on Biblical perspectives on gender/sexuality, and comparing psychological theories by Freud and Erikson with contemporary approaches to gender exploration, counselors can offer holistic support to individuals navigating their gender identities. Embracing diverse perspectives and fostering a safe space for self-discovery can empower individuals to embrace their authentic selves and lead fulfilling lives in alignment with their gender identities.
This synthesis elucidates the multifaceted nature of understanding gender identity by incorporating psychological theories, social cognitive frameworks, Biblical insights, and contemporary approaches to counseling in navigating individuals’ gender journeys.
