Jung and Feminism: Liberating Archetypes

by Demaris S. Wehr

Jung, in contrast to Freud, has typically been considered more sympathetic to women largely because of his emphasis on the feminine as a way of being in the world and on the ‘anima’, the unconscious feminine aspect of male personality. Feminists, however, have viewed Jung’s whole notion of the ‘feminine’ with suspicion, seeing it as a projection of male psyche and not an authentic understanding of female humanity. For Demaris Wehr both feminism and Jungian psychology have been guiding forces, and in this book, originally published in 1988, she mediates between feminists and classical Jungians – two groups historically at odds. She faces squarely the male-centred assumptions of some Jungian concepts and challenges Jung’s claims for the universality and purely empirical basis of his work, but nevertheless maintains an appreciation for the value of Jung’s understanding of human nature and the process of individuation. By bringing the insights of feminist theology to bear on the seemingly unbridgeable gap between analytical psychology and feminism, she succeeds in reclaiming Jungian psychology as a freeing therapy for women and reveals it as the ultimately liberating vision its founder intended it to be.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Gender Studies, Feminism

148 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[♥ Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wehr ultimately hits these three points in an effort to reconcile Jungian psychology and feminism:

1. Jung (and Jungian psychology),
2. feminism (feminist theory in religion and psychology), and
3. religion (the religiousness of Jung’s psychology).

**

Things I didn’t like:

“Correcting the fear of women and the feminine, encased even within Jung’s effort to validate the feminine, will be an essential step toward making Jung’s the holistic psychology and spirituality women need it to be.”

1) If Jungian psychology is ultimately misogynistic, why do we need to view it through a feminist lens and then be “healed” by it?
2) The “religious” aspect wasn’t what I’d expected – myths, folklore, and dreams weren’t what I was thinking, but I guess it makes sense in a psychological perspective?

**

Things I liked:
1) good insights and summary of Jungian psychology as opposed to Freud;
2) the dissenting / opposing feminist views on Jungian psychology;
3) the chapter about symbols; and
4) Wehr’s writing style – very straight to the point, succinct, and clear.

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book went a bit deeper into Jungianism(I use that term because the writer says that Jung’s psychoanalysis can also be a religion!) than I really expected. I've used this as a source for my master's thesis. I’ve learned much about the links between feminism and Jungian psychoanalysis but I think I should have read something of Jung without feminism thrown in. This book is scholarly and astute. Ms. Wehr writes in a scholarly fashion so have a dictionary nearby when reading. Overall a good book for research but for general reading, find something else.

[Lex · Rating 4 out of 5]

When this was written it was so necessary. At this point we are in grave need of more books like this with more progressive and contemporary insights into what a feminist toward is and how we can also be Jungian. This book is a must for Jungian women who seek roads less travelled.

[Jason Mehmel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating investigation into Jungian thought. If you're interested in Jungian theory but also feel like you need to examine it critically, this is a great book. It also doubles as a handy explanation of a lot of the core concepts of the system.

The fact that it's written by someone who is interested and engaged with the ideas but not fully subscribing to them makes it a perfect perspective.

[Mephistopheles · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very clearly written and well reasoned, I only wish it were longer. It takes until the final chapter to really get going (much of the book is her making sure we all share the same framework) so when the analysis really gets going it's too brief. I had already realized that much of the idea of the feminine among men was anima projection, but I had not considered her point regarding the ego.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this book interesting but didn't hold my interest until the last chapter which was terrific. Would have been a better book if the entire focus had been in the tone and focus of the last chapter.

[Brit (britlovestoread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting feminist critique of Jung's analytical psychology.

[Mills College Library]

305.42 W414 1987