The Men's Group

In my opinion, it is an era of weakened masculinity.  Anecdotal evidence and scientific research suggest the presence of a large demographic of men who lack self-esteem, have difficulty forming and maintaining positive relationships, are poor decision-makers, resort to a variety of high-risk and maladaptive behaviors including internet pornography, substance abuse, and sex and work addiction, and harbor a general dissatisfaction with their quality of life.  Although Freud is viewed by many to be obsolete at this point in time, for me his perspective on the Oedipus myth provides a compelling psychological explication of the predicament of modern men.  In the next meeting of the Men's Group on Saturday, March 1, 2014, I will outline my understanding of Freud's interpretation of Oedipus, its ramifications for male psychological development, and its relevance to the contemporary problems of men.  What I have also discovered in my analysis of Oedipus is the emergence of a theory of male sexual addiction which centers on the man's compulsive attempt to proclaim his identity in the context of it never having existed.