Using courage combined with personal relationships in psychotherapy for men

Abstract

A shift in contemporary conceptions of masculinity can be identified in both cultural media and scholarly literature. Although men have responded to this new vision of manhood in a variety of ways, what is often produced is one of two male psychological reactions. The anxious-passive male lacks initiative and is irresponsible, weak, and unreliable. The anxious-assertive male has little emotional awareness and is narcissistic, dominant, and interpersonally exploitative. This work will argue that these polar responses are rooted in fear, and thus a program for psychotherapy to address this is appropriate. The virtue of courage will be introduced to assist in alleviating psychological distress inherent in the two attitudes. Further, it is conceptualized that both courage and fear involve important interpersonal aspects. Thus, the proposed program for psychotherapy also includes an emphasis on the use of male personal relationships in developing courage and overcoming fear.