Counseling Women & Navigating Sexism

RUNNING HEAD: Women & Sexism Quinn 1

Counseling Women and Navigating Sexism

Peter M. Quinn

Multicultural Counseling

Bridgewater State University


Women have experienced some of the greatest degrees of oppression in the history of the

United States. Men have, since the birth of America, dominated the political and economic world

that we live in. For the last few centuries, however, women have been fighting for an equal piece

of the American dream, yet have been continuously oppressed and marginalized. This

disenfranchised group has overcame some of the most incredible hurdles and persevered through

it all with one goal in mind: fair and equitable treatment. With pioneers such as Susan B.

Anthony, Rosa Parks, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Eleanor Roosevelt, Sojourner Truth, and

countless others, women have sparked one of the most comprehensive and revolutionary

movements in U.S. history. We must understand where women came from and listen to their

voice in order to help them make more progress towards the fulfillment of the American dream.

First, we must start with their worldview, as it will provide us with a lens to empower and

support them.

1. When considering the general worldview of women, we must define what a worldview is.

“Worldviews answer basic questions about what exists, how we know it, how things work, what

is good and bad or right and wrong, and who we are” (Jun, 2010, p. 24). American Women share

values and worldviews that are centered around perceptions that manifest during childhood (Jun,

2010). These perceptions and observations continue to expand as a person grows and develops,

creating an internalized assumption of the world and those who inhabit it.

Children learn to internalize privilege and oppression at an early age ... Repeated
experiences of this type of learning add to one’s intrapersonal communication, which is
based on the way one is treated (dichotomously and hierarchically). Repeated
inappropriate thinking styles become thinking patterns, and thinking patterns become
automatic by internal repetition. The process of learning internalized privilege and
oppression is gradual, subtle, and often unconscious. Thus, it is difficult to be aware of
internalized privilege and oppression (Jun, 2010, p. 25)


The formulation of Women’s feelings and attitudes surrounding equity, gender roles, and

identity are all part of the worldview, values, and the critical norms that this disenfranchised

group share. Subjective to the individual, cultural and religious or spiritual backgrounds tend to

play a major role in what a woman values. However, a worldview most certainly varies from

person to person. A safe way to describe such a diverse worldview may be as follows: some

women are in support of gay marriage, whereas others may identify with the religious belief that

only men and women can marry. This example speaks to the variety of values, perceptions and

worldviews that women both share, and disagree with. While it may be difficult to pinpoint

values that all women share, some generic values may relate to the entire group; family is

priority, equal rights, freedom of expression, and fair treatment are just some values that most

women might identify with.

When counseling women, it is important to question and challenge our own positions and

values as they may relate to our female clients and the issues we are collectively exploring. As

well, being cognizant of the power differential (especially for those counselors who identify as a

male) that exists between clients and counselors is of utmost importance. Maximizing the client’s

voice is endemic to counseling women. Counselors should support women in their concerns

about family, their rights, and abilities so that they can feel safe, be heard and a feel a sense of

belonging, not only in the counseling relationship, but also in the world (McGoldrick, Giordano,

& Garcia-Preto, 2005). It is important to take into consideration the following when counseling

women. Counselors need to help female clients explore the societal myths and labels that they

encounter, and those that are concerning to them. Work with the client to identify harmful and

oppressive messages that might be internalized, help to bring about awareness, and collaborate to

identify ways in which you both can change some of the messages that are ingrained in the


clients’ worldview. Help female clients gain an awareness of the sociocultural forces that affect

their lives, and empower clients to become change agents in their own lives. All of these

concepts are overarching therapeutic goals that can help women cope with the oppression that

they face (Choate, 2009).

2. Women have a rich and liberating history within the United States. Gutwill, Gitter, and

Rubin (2011) talk about the patriarchal constraints that motivate women to fight for their rights

and freedom. Men continually challenged women “against taking [them]selves seriously, taking

power, and ... judging [them]selves exclusively based on [their] bodies, sexual performances, or

nurturing activities” (p. 145). This snapshot of oppression provides us with a glimpse of just

some of the struggles that women have faced during their history in the United States.

As we participated in building the women’s movement, we worked to expose and
struggle against actual violence to women’s bodies—rape, sexual abuse and incest—as
well as the lack of birth control information, and the pathologizing of abortion, making it
unavailable in safety, when necessary. We also critiqued symbolic violations of women
in the form of being judged on the basis of our bodies, persecuted by ‘‘lookism,’’ and
encouraged to worry more about being thin than about what we thought about and could
contribution to the liberatory struggles of our day (Gutwill, 1994). We struggled for the
right to be full partners in social movements rather than just making the coffee, having
sex with the leaders and cleaning up the mess. We struggled for access to jobs, equal
rights in society and equal pay at work. We struggled for sexual liberation rather than
objectification (Gutwill, Gitter, & Rubin, 2011)

This quote speaks to the worldview that many women may share. These issues were

prevalent during the women’s right movements, and unfortunately, almost 200 years later, they

still ring true today. Sexist attacks of women, scapegoating, the projection of hatred rage, and an

effort to control a woman’s body have inspired three sources of female oppression and

exploitation: Intensified assaults on the female body via mass media, an increased worldwide

assault on girls and women through rape, molestation, and sex slavery, and the overwhelming

control over the reproductive rights of women are at the front lines of the woman’s suffrage


movement in the United States (Gutwill et al., 2011). This backdrop can provide the empathy

needed for therapists when counseling women. In an effort to better understand the individual

client and the issues that they face, counselors should research critical historical experiences that

have plagued women in this country since the 1800s.

3. In 1893, Colorado was the first state to adopt an amendment that granted women the right

to vote. With the help of Susan B. Anthony, August 26th 1920 stands as one of the most historical

days in women’s United States history; the passing of the 19th amendment federally

acknowledges a women’s right to vote. The Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the

Equal Pay Act, the approval of the Food and Drug Administration to regulate birth control pills,

and the National Organization of Women (NOW) are cornerstones of women’s historical

achievements. The Equal Rights Amendment, Title IX, and Roe v Wade all contributed to the fair

treatment of women throughout the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, making them “equitable” partners in

America. Although these milestones advanced the ethical and fair treatment of women, they still

face some of the very same issues today that their ancestors faced a hundreds of years ago.

In 2009, President Barack Obama signed into law the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration

Act, which empowers women to assume their right for fair and equal treatment and pay in the

workplace. Being aware of such historic events will help counselors to evaluate social factors

that impact the lives of their clients, and will inspire clients to develop and recognize their own

personal sense of power, and its’ correlation to connectedness (Choate, 2009).

The above-mentioned historical events and experiences have severely impacted the

development of the female identity, and are infused into the values, behaviors, and “ways of

being” for the American Woman. As a “dynamic interplay between an individual and the

sociocultural context” of their being, “the organization of self-understanding that defines one’s


place in the world” can become ingrained in one’s identity (Jun, 2010, p. 285). These events can

help a women understand why they have been oppressed, why the faced such struggles, and the

reasons to keep addressing concerns that inhibit their happiness in society. A woman’s personal

identity, social identity, and cultural identity are connected, and interwoven to make up the fabric

of the individual. Counselors can help women overcome issues related to their identity by

empowering them to confront challenges, and by helping them to acquire new skills that will

bring about change in their environment and replace internalized messages with self-enhancing

beliefs (Jun, 2010; Choate, 2009; Corey, 2009).

The impact of critical historical events, such as legalized abortion, personal safety, the

right to vote, and equal pay opportunities, are some of the most important issues facing the

pursuit of gender equality (Spain, 2011). Gerald Corey (2009) and Daphne Spain (2011) suggest

that counselors need to understand the ways sexist and oppressive societal beliefs, such as those

evidenced in this analysis, can impact women clients in very negative ways. In order to affect

positive social change, counselors must evaluate the social factors facing their client, and assess

the impact on their ability to express all aspects of themselves versus feeling limited in

traditionally held expectations or stereotypes. Spain (2011) proposes that women need to learn

how to value their strengths and positive qualities in an effort to challenge internalized messages

that women are subject to believing in. Understanding the impact of such issues and their effect

on the counseling relationship is a major competence counselors must possess if they wish to

empower women to view gender from a strengths-based and holistic perspective (Spain, 2011).

4. In the 2010 United States Census, Massachusetts was estimated to have a total population

of 6,547,629, with women accounting for more than half of the state’s residents (3,381,001).

There are 1,013,088 women out of the 1,956,649 total populations of Bristol, Dukes, Nantucket,


Norfolk, Plymouth and Barnstable Counties that make up Southeastern Massachusetts (2010

Census). Comparing Massachusetts to the total population in the United States, the 2010 U.S.

Census estimates that there are 308,745,538 people living in America, and women still account

for (156,964,212) 51% of the total population. In the U.S., There are 9,881,935 females under 5

years old (6.3%); 9,959,019 5 to 9 years old (6.3%); 10,097,332 10 to 14 years old (6.4%);

10,736,677 15 to 19 years old (6.8%); 10,571,823 20 to 24 years old (6.7%); 10,466,258 25 to 29






1,357,162 90 years and older (0.9%); accounting for in the U.S. to have a median age of 38.5

years old (35.8 compared to men’s median age) (2010 Census). Women are living longer than

men, as well; there are more women than men living in the United States. Yet, women are the

majority and still considered an oppressed group. Subgroups that make up the female population

in the United States can be identified as White, African American, Hispanic, Latino, Asian,

American Indian, Alaskan, Native, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, Central American,

South American, and many more that were not included in the 2010 Census.

Related to households and families, the 2010 Census accounts for 116,716,292 total

family households in the United States. Of which, 21% or 24,573,779 women are householders.

There are 39,177,996 nonfamily households, and 20,718,743 female nonfamily householders

(17.8%), along with 17,298,615 (14.8%) of women living alone (6.7% are 65 years of age or

older). 56,510,377 husband-wife families are living in the United States, but 15,250,349 female


householders are living without husbands present in their families. 65% of women living without

husbands in their households are living with related children that are under 18 years old. 54.9%

are living with their own children whom are under 18 years old (11.2% are under 6 years old and

33.7% are aged between 6 to 17 years old). It should be known that same-sex couple households

(about 1% of all households in MA and .7% of all households in the U.S.) are included in the

family household category, and same-sex couples with no relatives are included in the nonfamily

household statistics (2010 Census).

The median household income for the average American family was $49,445 in 2010,

which hit a 2.3% decline from 2009 (2010 Census). Household family income declined by 1.2%

($61,544), and nonfamily household income decline by 3.9% ($29,730). Female householders

(no husband present) were identified in the 2010 Census as earning a median income of $32,031,

(which decreased by 3.3.% since 2009) and Female householders in nonfamily households

earned a median income of $21,234 with a decline of 0.9% since 2009. In the northeast United

States, the median household income was $53,283, with full-time workingwomen earning

$42,834 compared to men who earned $56,412 reports the 2010 Census. This data suggests that

men earn 39% more than women on the average annual salary. Women with a documented

disability only earned an average of $31,851 in 2010, compared to men with a documented

disability earning on average $41,506. Between 1960 and 2010, women have increased their

median earnings from about $20,000 to $36,931, compared to men who have increased their

earnings from about $35,000 in 1960 to $46,715 in 2010 (2010 Census). In total, male workers

have earned $81.2 million since 1960 and women only $42.8 million, a 53% margin of

difference in total net earnings over the last 50 years. 51.2% of women earn income below 200%

of their poverty threshold says the 2010 Census, with men earning only 43.6% under 200%


(income-to-poverty ratio) of their poverty threshold, which suggests that women have not been

able to make much progress in relation to equitable pay, regardless of legislation that has been

passed.

The 2010 Census reports that female’s ages 25 to 44 years old earned, on average,

$30,455, compared to a male within the same age range who earned $38,211. Female’s with less

than a 9th grade education level earned $13,943 in 2010; 9th to 12th grade (non-High School

graduates) earned $15,650; High School graduates (including GED) earned $21,452; some

college women (no degree achieved) earned $26,615; Associates Degree’s earned women

$31,537; and Bachelor’s Degree holding women earned $45,232 who, compared to men, earned

$63,265 with a degree at the Bachelor’s level or higher. This is a 39% difference in pay for

obtaining the same degree.

A larger proportion of women than men had completed high school or more education. A
larger proportion of men had received at least a bachelor’s degree. However, because
women 25 years old and over outnumber men aged 25 and over, the number of women
with bachelor’s degrees is larger than the number of men with these degrees. Among
people aged 25 to 34, the percentage of women with a bachelor’s degree or higher was 35
percent compared with 27 percent of men ... Gender differences in education continue to
exist. In 2009, a larger proportion of women than men had completed high school with a
high school diploma, some college, associate’s, and master’s degrees. On the other hand,
a higher proportion of men had completed high school with a GED, as well as bachelor’s,
professional, and doctorate degrees. Although women 25 years and over were less likely
than men to have bachelor’s, professional, or doctorate degrees, they were still ahead of
men by some measures. Because there were more women than men 25 years old and
over, the number of women with a bachelor’s degree or higher (28.7 million) was greater
than the number of men with a bachelor’s degree or higher (27.7 million). In addition,
among people aged 25 to 34, the percentage of women with a bachelor’s degree or higher
was 35 percent compared with 27 percent of men (2010 Census)

Needless to say, the 2010 Census reveals shocking, but expected, earning differentials

between men and women. Even though women aged 25 years or older outnumber men, men still

earn, regardless of the degree attained, on average, .60 cents more to the dollar more than

women, so it is no wonder why it seems almost impossible for a women to break through the


invisible glass ceiling. The data suggests that women may never be able to reach the social status

or gain the social power that men have simply due to their earnings ratio. Men earn more money

and therefore have privilege over women in regards to economic and social status, solely based

on the amount that they earn. Pay rate issues have been affecting women for hundreds of years,

and although legislation has been passed through the executive branch of the government (e.g.,

Lily Ledbetter Act), women remain in a high-risk situation that impacts their (monetary) worth

in the economic arena. This will always be a challenge that women have to face, and it seems

that no amount of litigation will cease to close the earnings gap between men and women. Even

holding the same degree, a woman, on average, earns about 40% less than a man. Knowing this,

we must look to counseling theories to best be able to reach our female clients.

6. “A feminist standpoint is an epistemological position with Marxian roots: a position for

which the divisions of labor within a society produce knowledge, and theories of knowledge, that

attest to divergent perspectives on the relations of human beings with one another, and with the

natural world. It celebrates the transformative potential of the knowledge available, through

struggle, to oppressed groups who (often as a consequence of participation in consciousness-

raising) can achieve a firsthand awareness of the institutions and power” (Hedman, p. 86).

“Although significant advances have been made to refine theory and practices in this area during

the past several decades, there is a call for continued attention to girls’ and women’s

development, counseling concerns, and approaches that best meet their needs” (Choate, 2009, p.

179).

This continued attention has been highlighted by Corey (2009), who believes that

personal counseling is a legitimate way to manifest change. Therapy, as Corey (2009) suggests is

a partnership between equals that “builds mutuality” and should focus on the “social, political,


and pathological forces that damage and constrain girls and women, as well as males” (p. 343).

Feminist Therapy is the ideal counseling lens to utilize when working with women. Its’ diverse

focus is on the specific problems and issues the most women in the United States are facing

(body image, abusive relationships, eating disorders, incest, and other sexual abuse trauma).

Feminist Therapy advocates for social activism and helps individuals overcome the “limits and

constraints of traditional gender-role socialization patterns” (Corey, 2009, p. 343). Enns,

Sinacore, Ancis, & Phillips (2004) tell us that “multicultural counselor training approaches

emphasize communication and pedagogy within the counseling relationship and differ in terms

of how culture is defined as well as the extent to which they emphasize the role of cultural

influences in people's lives, the goals of training, and the content and process of training” (p.

421). They suggest that there are four approaches to counseling women. The first is the Post-

Modern Feminist Perspective, which proposes specific goals of the therapeutic process:

(a) developing a "third eye" or self-reflective awareness of the changing contexts in
which oppression and empowerment occur; (b) being observant of the complex
intersections of power, privilege, race, class, gender, sexual orientation, and how they
affect the learning process; and (c) using this information to deal with difference
effectively and develop flexible, "situated" ways of seeing themselves and the world.
Important pedagogical questions focus on the meaning of difference, and how gender and
other social identities are created and modified (Enns, Sinacore, Ancis, & Phillips, 2004)

The second approach is titled: Women of Color Feminisms. Enns et al. (2004) value the

personal experience of racism to be more “visible, virulent, and commonplace than is sexism” (p.

415). A major component of this approach is to eliminate forms of oppression (racism, sexism,

heterosexism, and classism). It is very important for counselors to recognize the importance of

examining the oppression and double binds faced by women and men of color (Enns, et al.,

2004). Spelman (1988, p. 102) said that "all women are women, there is no being who is only a

woman". This speaks volumes to multicultural counseling. There is no one definition of what it


means to be a Woman, as each individual interprets that meaning for her (or him) self.

Multicultural counselors must place emphasis on the centrality of a woman’s self-definition

(their voice), and analyze the interlocking aspects of their oppression (Collins, 2000).

The features women are presumed to have in common ... are in fact features that only
some women have in common. ... [W]omanness is inseparable from other aspects of
one’s identity (such as race and class) and thus individual women do not share
womanness ... [S]ince womanness is socially constructed and social construction differs
from one society to the next, womanness is a culturally specific feature and that women
with similar racial, cultural, and social backgrounds share a particular gender. Feminist
positions that endorse gender realism are mistaken ... because they rely on a false
metaphysical picture wherein women ... share a single feature constituting womanness.
Spelman’s train of thought has convinced many to reject gender realism as untenable. Iris
Marion Young, for instance, has claimed that with these arguments “Spelman shows
definitively the mistake in any attempt to isolate gender from identities of race, class, age,
sexuality, ethnicity, etc., to uncover the attributes, experience, or oppressions that women
have in common” (Mikkola, 2006, pp. 78-79)

This quotation is at the core of multicultural counseling. Women in therapy cannot be

fully understood unless gender, race, social class, disability, sexual orientation, and other factors

that affect their social opportunities are considered (Choate, 2009). The third approach that Enns,

et al. (2004) identify is Lesbian Feminism and Queer Therapy.

Lesbian feminists view issues related to sexuality and sexualized images of women as
central to the analysis of women's oppression. Heterosexism and "compulsory
heterosexuality" (Rich, 1980) support the assumptions that heterosexuality is the only
natural form of emotional and sexual expression, male-female relationships are a
fundamental building block of society, and same-sex intimate relationships hold no social
reality. Lesbian feminists note that women's subordination to men is often solidified
through various heterosexual norms and traditions, including heterosexual romantic
traditions and rites of passage, women's acts of caring for men, heterosexual pornography
and erotica, and heterosexualized humor and dress. They deconstruct heterosexist
assumptions as well as affirm lesbian life experiences such as: (a) the impact of growing
up lesbian in a heterosexual society; (b) the "coming out" process; (c) lesbian culture and
lifestyles; (d) lesbian intimate partnership and parenting; (e) differences between lesbian
and gay identity; and (f) the life experiences of lesbians from diverse race, ethnic, and
class backgrounds (Calhoun, 1997; Kitzinger, 1996). Lesbian feminists also emphasize
the centrality of social activism. For example, the act of "coming out" requires a public
declaration of one's sexual orientation, which makes lesbian experience visible and
decentralizes heterosexuality (Enns, et al., 2004, p. 416)


Counseling a lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered woman, as this quotation suggests, is

unique to that individual, and it is very important to hear the person’s voice, and empower them

to strive for social activism. Counselors must assess the clients comfort level in relation to the

“coming out” process, their openness to share, reflect, and challenge their perception of their

self, and the potential challenges facing them. Counselors should “seek to create environments

where "coming out" and "being out" are valued as personal and political statements” and should

understand that “both lesbian feminism and queer theory emphasize the importance of: (a)

exploring multiple identities and their relationship to oppression, (b) deconstructing assumptions

about normative heterosexuality as well as the subtle ways in which heterosexism permeates

psychological theory and notions about normality, (c) emphasizing social action, and (d)

appreciating the diversity among those with marginalized sexualities” (pp. 416-417).

In the final approach, Enns et al. (2004) discuss is Transnational Feminism. This

approach speaks to women’s experiences across national boundaries. Global and transnational

feminisms analyze interdependencies of women in order to understand interconnections between

religion, colonialism, nationalism, multinational systems and gender. “Global feminisms also

challenge feminists to acknowledge how western feminisms have sometimes promoted intrusive,

patronizing, or disrespectful treatment of women around the world. One western ethnocentric

practice is the tendency to view women in many parts of the world as passive victims who need

western women's expertise and insights to overcome oppression” (Enns et al., 2004, p. 417). Sex

trafficking, tourism, prostitution, sexual violence, and the exploitation of women are major

focuses of the global feminist therapist (Enns et al., 2004). This attention to the national and

global issues that women face is an important and unresolved issue that counselors must become

aware of and be willing to explore with women who may be affected by various cultural


practices and oppression. All of the four approaches mentioned in this analysis stem from the

contextual intersection of the issues that women are constantly facing: gender, privilege, race,

class, and sexual orientation (Enns et al., 2004).

The four forces of Counseling are, psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, existential-

humanistic, and multicultural. Corey (2009) describes Cognitive Therapy as a framework to

address problems that manifest “from commonplace processes such as faulty thinking, making

incorrect inferences on the basis of inadequate or incorrect information, and failing to distinguish

between fantasy and reality” (p. 287). Multicultural counselors who are serving women should

seek to help the client overcome difficulties by identifying and changing dysfunctional thinking,

behavior, and emotional responses that play into their identity, self-efficacy, and worldview.

Helping women to develop skills that will modify their beliefs is a vital aspect of therapy. Assist

women in identifying the cause of their disoriented thinking, and empower them to change

negative behaviors that contribute to their oppression should be a major focus of the counselor. A

limitation of cognitive therapy when using it with women may be the inability to change the

behavior of others (those who are perpetuating the oppressive behaviors and stereotypes) and its

effect on women’s self-esteem and privilege. However, cognitive therapy may help in assisting

women to understand that although they may not be able to control others, they can control their

own behavior. This is when empowerment can be brought into the counseling relationship, and

challenge women to change their reactions to others behavior, or initiate social activism.

According to Freud, “behavior is determined by irrational forces, unconscious

motivations, and biological and instinctual drives that evolve through key psychosexual stages”

(Corey, 2009, p. 61). The psychodynamic force speaks to the irrational, or unconscious, drives

that determine human behavior, experience, and cognition. Counselors must attempt to bring


these factors into awareness, and help women to understand the impact of their experiences and

the role they play in their development. The events that occur in early childhood play a major

role in sculpting a person’s perception of the world, and the development of one’s personality.

Conflicts occur as a result of the conscious view of reality and unconscious material attribute to

anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues that woman commonly face. Counselors must

strive to “make the unconscious motives conscious, for only then can an individual exercise

choice. Understanding the role of the unconscious is central to grasping the essence of the

psychoanalytic model of behavior” (Corey, 2009, p. 62). Sometimes choice is not an option, and

more environmental factors influence the issues that a woman is facing. With this limitation,

counselors should understand the cultural context behind an issue, and allow the authentic voice

of the client to remain present. Only then can the counselor empower their client to move

towards the achievement of the therapeutic goals.

A common stereotype of women is that they are too emotional. Behavioral theories speak

to the acting, thinking and feeling of the client, and help them in understanding why they feel the

way they do, and how to modify behaviors so that they can achieve happiness and positive self-

efficacy. The goal is to modify the person’s environment in order to effectively alter the client’s

behavior. Counselors will want to spend time dealing with the client’s current problems, and

those factors that influence them, instead of focusing on the “historical determinants” of the

problem (Corey, 2009). Conducting a behavioral analysis (functional assessment) will help to

identify the dimensions of the problem(s) and the potential consequence(s) of said issue. The

ABC model (Corey, 2009) “addresses antecedents, behaviors, and consequences. This model of

behavior suggests that behavior (B) is influenced by some particular events that precede it, called

antecedents (A), and by certain events that follow it called consequences (C)” (p. 239).


Summarizing, reflection, clarification, and open-ended questioning are just some of the

techniques that Corey (2009), B.F. Skinner, and Albert Bandura suggest that a counselor use to

identify goals and treatment plans when working with clients.

No problem can be resolved without addressing the Humanistic, or Holistic approach to

the human existence. Counselors should work with clients equitably to investigate the clients’

creativity, free will, and “human potential”. The existential view of human nature, as Corey

(2009) suggests speaks to the basic dimensions of the human condition and their potential: The

capacity for self-awareness; freedom and responsibility; creating one’s identity and establishing

meaningful relationships with others; the search for meaning, purpose, values, and goals; anxiety

as a condition of living; and the awareness of death and nonbeing are all essential in helping

women work through and understand the issues that they are confronted with. People are

inherently good, and it is the counselor’s role to shed light on this issue and help women

understand the power they do have, and enable them to create positive change for themselves.

The multicultural force speaks to the context of the person and the acknowledgement of

the issues of the oppression, privilege, and power that the client is facing. Women experience

power and privilege in different ways, so it is very important to define the context of the concern,

and allow for the authentic voice of the client shine through. These forces are extremely

important factors that make up the counseling relationship, and should be highlighted in order to

allow a woman’s voice to truly be heard.

7. As a supplement to this analysis, the author conducted a brief qualitative interview with a

27-year-old female who spoke to some of the issues women in America face. Education is a

common value that most women share, and should be regarded as a main component of their

identity, however, family may be the most important value that a woman subscribes to. Women


may even sacrifice the needs of the self in order to serve the needs of their families. They

understand the impact of the familial relationship, and will work relentlessly to make their family

happy, even if it means forgoing their own happiness. Women are proud to be women, yet they

struggle with the way men continuously act towards them. Women are continuously “catcalled”

and have to deal with feeling scared or unsafe, and like they can’t protect themselves when being

subjected to such abuse. Women dress the way they want to be treated is another common

stereotype, and one that bothers a lot of them. In most cases, women are working harder then

men, and still are unable to get ahead. Oppression in the form to making judgments based on

what women are wearing is a battle that men continue to win.

Another typical challenge that women face is constantly having to prove oneself as being

competent. There are many times when a woman’s voice is not heard. Sometimes a male with

same idea as a woman gets the job, promotion, or credit for idea, when in fact, it was the woman

who was more credible or had the original thought in the first place. Counselors need to be open-

minded and understand that women enter the counseling relationship with different backgrounds,

education, and ways of being. A person’s sex should not matter to a counselor, and they should

enable the individual’s voice to be heard. Women want counselors to listen to what they have to

say and understand where they are coming from (sociocultural context). They are asking for

counselors (and men alike) to truly listen to their stories, and not judge them based on their

physical appearance or history of their ancestors. A counselor should never generalize one

women with another simply based on hearing similar scenarios or stories. Each woman is an

individual, and deserves the counselor’s full attention and empathy. When facing issues that

they cannot solve on their own, women may seek the help of formal counseling, family

members, doctors, or other people whom they can trust.


5. Thrice-Black and Foster (2011) suggest that women may seek out their physicians advice

when dealing with issues of fatigue, overwork, and lack of sexual interest in their relationships:

Contemporary sociocultural constructions of motherhood, coupled with unrealistic media
images, are incongruent with the realities of motherhood and the challenges of
reassembling sexual identity, self-image, and sexual scripts. Feminist-informed
counseling may offer an engaging and affirming crucible within which mothers,
especially those with young children, can construct a fresh, personally identified sexual
self, exploring the connections between sexual desires, practices, attitudes, ideals, and
duties that shift throughout their lifespan.

Corey (2009) affirms that “the majority of clients in counseling are women, and the

majority of psychotherapy practitioners at the master’s level are women” (p. 341). Knowing that

women may feel more comfortable confiding and seeking advice from other women, it is

important for counselors to embrace Feminist Therapy. Feminist Therapy was developed by

women (the developers - Jean Baker Miller, MD; Carolyn Zerbe Enns, PhD; Oliva M. Espin,

PhD; & Laura S. Brown, PhD), and incorporates a therapeutic lens from the perspective (voice)

of a female (Corey, 2009). Aside from physicians and female counselors, some women may seek

the company of their female friends or family members that may or may not have experienced

similar issues that they are seeking to resolve. The interview that the Author conducted brought

this aspect to light. Lots of decisions or conflicts revolve around the family and it appears that

women may choose to put the families’ needs first and above their own. When in conflict,

women may tend to consult with female friends or other females within their family such as

mothers, aunts, cousins, or grandmothers. Religion, spirituality and a women’s cultural

background may also determine whether counseling is an appropriate avenue to explore for the

individual. It is difficult to pinpoint just one source of support for women seeking counseling.

Different types of people, relational statuses, and religious affiliation all play a role in the people

that a woman will choose to seek help from.


Within the state of Massachusetts there are numerous agencies and organizations that

provide support services for women, whether they be social or counseling based. The Women’s

Center (405 County Street, New Bedford, MA - 508. 996.3343 & 209 Bedford Street, Fall

River, MA - 508.672.1222) has a 24-Hour Hotline (508.999.6636) and seeks to empower and

support positive choices for women. As well, they educate and take action in the local

community in order to prevent oppression and violence against women

(http://www.thewomenscentersc.com/). The Massachusetts Domestic Violence Advocates &

Support Contacts host a website that lists support contacts and resources listed by county for

the state of Massachusetts. They offer help with abuse in relationships, sexual victimization,

stalking, provide statistics, victim Assistance, public arrest records, overview of laws, aspects of

abuse, and much more (http://www.aardvarc.org/dv/states/massdv.shtml). Similarly, The

Women’s Center (46 Pleasant Street, Cambridge, MA - 617.354.6394) is an anti-racist

community center for women that fight for women’s rights and are against all forms of

oppression (http://www.cambridgewomenscenter.org/). These resources, and many others, can

be found online by conducting a basic search for women’s support services in Massachusetts.

Countless other online and in-house resources are available to Massachusetts’ women and for

women all across the country. The most important piece is for women to seek help when needed,

and not wait until the problem or concern becomes unmanageable. Regardless of the issues that

women face, they have many strengths that are vital to their happiness and success.

8. It would be stereotypical to believe that women are weak, and that only men can be

strong. Women are strong in many physical and mental ways that prove this to be a false

accusation. There are countless female athletes who are stronger, faster, and more competent

than men, as well; the educational background of a woman can be a considered another great


strength. Women are determined to succeed, and prove to men that they are equal to them in a

variety of ways. Perseverance, hard work, and empathy are some core strengths that women

share. These three assets are what have given women the drive to fight tirelessly for their rights

since the 1840s (and even earlier). When thinking about the counseling process, counselors can

surely capitalize on these strengths. Counselors should work towards empowering women to take

action and make personal and behavioral changes so that they can rid themselves of stereotypical

assumptions and live a life that is harmonious and fair. Knowing that a woman will be likely to

want to persevere and work hard, counselors can prescribe homework, and collaborate to

redefine goals that will help women make progress towards living in a better and more equitable

society. When counselors are empathetic, they show women that they are hearing them, and are

in-tune with their struggles. Likewise, women can empathize with one another, and form bonds

that will provide them with support. Capitalizing on these three strengths will help counselors to

empower women and strengthen the individual person. Although women have dealt with much

oppression during their time in the United States, today’s Woman is stronger than ever, and even

more equipped to affect social change in America.

Over the past 170 years, women have been engaged in a battle for equality. Fair

treatment, equal rights, and a stake in America’s future have been some of the reoccurring

themes that women have been fighting for. With the dawn of the 21st Century, women have seen

radical changes in the world, and should feel empowered to keep fighting for what is right, just,

and fair. The future for Women in the United States is bright, and counselors are assisting in

creating positive social change each and every day that they are working with female clients.

Utilizing the counseling interventions and approaches highlighted in this analysis, as well as

formulating a multicultural competence will provide counselors with the tools to continue to


bring about social activism in our society. Women are the greatest stakeholders America has, and

it would be to our detriment to continue to oppress a group that has so much to offer. Pioneers in

the women’s suffrage movement have laid a foundation that will benefit American women for

the hundreds of years to come, and the hard work and perseverance of these sojourners have

inspired women (and men) all across America to challenge the way things are in an effort to

create a better and more equitable America for us all.


Appendix A - Written Consent: An interview with a Woman

I, _______________________________________________ (please print name) freely give my

consent to be interviewed by __________________________________, who is a student at

Bridgewater State University; I understand that the interview will be videotaped. I also

understand that the videotape will only be used for educational purposes and will be shown to

graduate students who are enrolled in the Bridgewater State University Multicultural Counseling

class, which is being taught by Dr. Maxine L. Rawlins. Finally, I understand that if the

videotape was to be used for any other purpose, that I would need to provide additional written

consent.

_________________________________________ (Interviewee Signature)

_________________________________________ (Witness/Interviewer Name) (Print)

_________________________________________ (Interviewer Signature)

_________________________________________ (Date)


Appendix B - An interview with a Woman

SUMMARY- A brief qualitative interview with a 27-year-old female:

Women deserve respect, and should be addressed in a respectful way that is age

appropriate. Older individuals do not always support being addressed as “Ma’am”, so it is a best

practice to use the suffix Ms. or to simply ask if you can call them by their first name. Education

is a common value that most women share, and should be regarded as a main component of their

identity. Women with terminal degrees are proud to be called Dr., and it is important to

acknowledge them for all the hard work that went into gaining such a title. Also, family may be

the most important value that a woman subscribes to. Women take pride in being female, and

truly do enjoy shopping and participating in “girly hobbies” such as getting their nails and hair

done, and engaging in thoughtful discussions with other female friends.

Women are strong in many physical and mental ways. There are countless female athletes

who put the stereotype that “women are weaker than men” to bed, as well; the educational

background of a woman can be a considered a great mental strength that is quite competitive

with men. Being treated equal to men, gaining equitable pay rates, and battling with the glass

ceiling are challenges that women still face today. On the other side of this pride for being

female, women struggle with the way men continuously act. Getting “catcalled” and dealing with

male privilege can scare women and make them feeling unsafe and like they can’t protect

themselves. This is a despicable act, and men who do this should feel ashamed for demeaning

women. Women dress the way they want to be treated is another stereotype that haunt women all

across America. In most cases, women are working harder then men, and still are unable to get

ahead, yet these stereotypes (and many others) seem to be a major cause of the challenges that

await women when they leave their homes.


A typical challenge that women face is constantly having to prove oneself as being

competent. There are many times when a woman’s voice is not heard. Sometimes a male with

same idea as a woman gets the job, promotion, or credit for idea, when in fact, it was the woman

who was more credible or had the original thought in the first place. Counselors need to be open-

minded and understand that women enter the counseling relationship with different backgrounds,

education, and ways of being. A person’s sex should not matter to a counselor, and they should

enable their individual voice to be heard. Listen to what women they have to say and understand

where women are coming from (sociocultural context), and truly listen to their stories. Don’t

generalize one women with another simply based on hearing similar scenarios or stories. Each

woman is an individual, and deserves the counselor’s full attention and empathy.


Appendix C - Resources for Women

Local Community Support Agencies / Organizations for Women

The Women’s Center
“To empower and support positive choices for all and to educate and take action in the
community for the prevention of oppression and violence”
• 405 County Street - New Bedford, MA - 508. 996.3343
• 209 Bedford Street, Fall River, MA - 508.672.1222
o 24-Hour Hotline - 508.999.6636
• Website: http://www.thewomenscentersc.com/

Center for Women & Enterprise
Education, Training, Technical Assistance, Women’s Business Enterprise Certification
• Boston - 24 School Street - 7th Floor - Boston, MA - 617.536.0700
• Worcester - 50 Elm Street - 2nd Floor - Worcester, MA - 508.363.2300
• Providence - 132 George M. Cohan Blvd. - 2nd Floor - Providence, RI - 401.277.0800
• Website: http://www.cweonline.org/

New Women’s Center, Inc.
A nonprofit organization that educates pregnant women in crisis, and offers counseling and
support services: Pregnancy tests, Medical referrals, Housing referrals, Food program
alternatives, Emergency assistance, Educational referrals, Social agency referrals, Emotional
support, Maternity clothes, Baby clothes, food, and adoption information.
• 2645-A Main Street - Springfield, MA - 413.455.3493
• Website: http://www.newwomenscenter.org/

The Divorce Center
Mission: “We lessen fear through knowledge. We educate parents about the effects of divorce
on their children. We provide assistance and training for the professional community. We
provide referral services directly to those going through divorce.”
Support groups, Parent education, & Resources for all
• Riverside Center - 275 Grove Street - Building Two, Suite 400 - Newton, MA -
888.434.8787
• Website: http://www.divorcenter.org/resources/supportgroups.php

Armenian International Women’s Association
“Our objective is to create a safe environment for women – a place where they receive support,
empathy, and the knowledge that they are not alone in their struggles. Women are provided with
practical learning about domestic violence, as well as counseling that bolsters self-esteem and
confidence.”
• 65 Main Street, #3A - Watertown, MA - 617.926.0171
• Website: http://aiwainternational.org/initiatives/womens-support-center


The Women’s Center
“The Women’s Center is an anti-racist community center for women - fighting women’s rights
and against all forms of oppression”
• 46 Pleasant Street - Cambridge, MA - 617.354.6394
• Website: http://www.cambridgewomenscenter.org/

Massachusetts Domestic Violence Advocates & Support Contacts
See website for support contacts in your county!
Resources listed by county for the state of Massachusetts: Abuse in relationships, Sexual
Victimization, Stalking, Statistics, Victim Assistance, Bookstore, Public Arrest Records, Laws,
Aspects of Abuse, and much, much more!
• Website: http://www.aardvarc.org/dv/states/massdv.shtml

Women’s Support Group: Online Meet-up Groups
Local support groups for women
• Websites: http://womens-support-group.meetup.com/cities/us/ma/boston/
o http://womens-support-group.meetup.com/cities/us/ma/bridgewater/
o http://womens-support-group.meetup.com/cities/us/ma/worcester

Online Resources for Women
ActionAid
• A website dedicated to ending poverty and the injustices that cause it.
o http://actionaidusa.org/what/womens_rights/?gclid=CMDN_qz7r7ACFUOo4Aod
_z1iUg
o
Feminist.com
• “Whether you're a student who stumbles upon our site while researching a term paper, a
veteran feminist who proudly identifies with the "f-word," or someone curious about the
vast ways that women's issues intersect with every other part of life, we welcome you and
hope you find great value from visiting Feminist.com”
o http://www.feminist.com/

Feminist Geek
• Online resources related to Women’s history, Non-Western Women’s history, Western
Women’s history, Women’s Studies, and general web archives related to Women,
technology, and online media.
o http://feministgeek.com/bibliography/index.html

Gender & Sexism
• Online resources that relate to Gender and Ethics: Court decisions, Commission Reports
& Documents, Gender-Related Web Sites, Online Surveys, NPR’s Talk of the Nation, A
Bibliographical Survey of Philosophical Literature on Gender, Recent Literature on
Gender, and Suggestions for Discussion Questions and Term Paper Topics.
o http://ethics.sandiego.edu/Applied/Gender/index.asp


National Organization for Women - NOW
• An online resource that raises awareness of the issues facing Women in the US:
“domestic violence; sexual assault; sexual harassment; violence at abortion clinics; hate
crimes across lines of gender, sexuality and race; the gender bias in our judicial system
that further victimizes survivors of violence; and the violence of poverty emphasized by
the radical right's attacks on poor women and children”.
o http://www.now.org/issues/violence/

Online Resources for Feminist Activism
• An A-Z listing of online resources available to women from across the country.
Sponsored by Stanford University Women’s Community Center.
o http://studentaffairs.stanford.edu/wcc/resources/activism

Sexism Resources
• Sexism resources on marriage and divorce, birth and death, prejudice and equality, war,
peace, and human rights, care for the planet, wealth and poverty, and genetic engineering.
o http://www.rsrevision.com/GCSE/christian_perspectives/prejudice/sexism/resourc
es.htm

Tasmania Department of Education Website
• Online articles and print publication resources related to sexism.
o http://www.education.tas.gov.au/school/health/inclusive/antidiscrimination/sexis
m/resources

Understanding Prejudice
• An amazing resource that features links and articles to websites related to Sexism,
Women’s Rights, Violence towards women, feminism, sexual harassment, gender
inequality, and many more topics!
o http://www.understandingprejudice.org/links/sexism.htm

Violence Against Women Online Resources - VAWOR
• “A cooperative project of the Office on Violence Against Women and the Minnesota
Center Against Violence & Abuse at the University of Minnesota”.
o http://www.vaw.umn.edu

We Help Women
• A online resource that provides programs and courses in career for women, finances, and
personal development, empowerment, and leadership.
o http://www.wehelpwomen.com/

Women and Social Movements in the United States, 1600-2000
• A resource capturing Women’s history in the US. More than 105 document
projects/archives and 4,100 documents and 150,000 pages of additional full-text sources.
o http://womhist.alexanderstreet.com/index.htm


Women’s Education Center
• A comprehensive website that offers resources related to Women’s health, finances, work
life, and much more!
o http://www.womenseducationcenter.com/

Women’s Health Online Resources
• Links and resources related to Women’s health. Complete health library, glossary of
medical terms, diseases and conditions, tests and procedures, wellness library, interactive
tools, dietary guidelines, audio podcasts, video podcasts, e-newsletters and much more!
o http://nyp.org/health/women-online.html

Women’s Studies Online Resources
• In partnership with the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, this website provides
information on web resources, women’s studies, women’s issues, as well as many
programs and information related to gender issues.
o http://userpages.umbc.edu/~korenman/wmst/


Appendix D - Women’s Critical Historical Events (U.S.)

1848 - 1893
n 1848 – 1st Women’s Rights convention was held in Seneca Falls, NY
n 1850 – 1st National Women’s Rights Convention takes place in Worcester, MA
n National Conventions were held yearly through 1860
n 1869 – National Woman Suffrage Association was formed
n GOAL: Achieve voting rights for Women via Congressional Amendment to US
Constitution
n Wyoming passes 1st women’s suffrage law – Women begin serving on Juries in
1870
n 1890 – National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) is formed – Waged
state-by-state campaigns to obtain voting rights for women
n 1893 – Colorado is 1st state to adopt amendment granting women the right to vote.
n Utah & Idaho in 1896
n Washington State in 1910
n California in 1911
n Oregon, Kansas & Arizona & 1912
n Alaska & Illinois in 1913
n Montana & Nevada in 1914
n New York in 1917
n Michigan, S. Dakota, & Oklahoma in 1918

1896 – 1920
n 1896 – National Association of Colored Women is formed
n 1903 – National Women’s Trade Union League (WTUL) is established – Advocates for
improved wages and working conditions for women
n 1913 – Congressional Union is formed to obtain passage of federal amendment to give
women the right to vote. Later named National Women’s Party
n 1916 – 1st US Birth-Control Clinic is opened in Brooklyn, NY
n Clinic was shut down 10 days later, but in 1923, Margaret Sanger opened another clinic
in New York City
n 1919 – The Federal Woman Suffrage Amendment (written by Susan B. Anthony) is
passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate. Sent to states for Ratification.
n August 26, 1920 – 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote is signed into law!

1921 - 1964
n 1921 - Margaret Sanger founds the American Birth Control League
n Later evolves into the Planned Parenthood Federation of America in 1942
n 1935 – National Council of Negro Women is organized
n 1936 – A federal law to prohibit the dissemination of contraceptive information through
the mail is modified and birth control information is no longer classified as obscene
n 1955 – Daughters of Bilitis (DOB) is founded as the first lesbian organization in the US
n 1960 – The Food and Drug Administration approves Birth Control Pills
n 1961 – President John F. Kennedy establishes the President’s Commission on the Status
of Women


n 1963 – Congress passes the Equal Pay Act, making it illegal for employees to pay a
woman less than what a man would make doing the same job
n 1964 – Title VII of the Civil Rights Act bars discrimination in employment on the basis
of race and sex

1964 - 1972
n 1964 – Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is established to investigate
complaints and impose penalties
n 1965 – Griswold v Connecticut -Supreme Court decision to prohibit the use of
contraceptives by married couples
n 1966 – The National Organization for Women (NOW) is founded
n 1967 – Executive Order 11375 expands affirmative action policy of 1965 to cover
discrimination based on gender
n 1968 – The EEOC rules that sex-segregated help wanted ads in newspapers are illegal
n 1969 – California becomes the 1st state to adopt a “no fault” divorce law, which allows
couples to divorce by mutual consent
n By 1985 every state had adopted a similar law
n 1972 – The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is passed by Congress
n Eisenstadt v Baird - Supreme Court rules that the right to privacy includes an
unmarried person's right to use contraceptives
n 1972 – Title IX of the Education Amendments bans sex discrimination in schools
n As a result, enrollment of women in athletic programs and professional schools
increases dramatically

1973 - 1978
n 1973 – Roe v Wade – Supreme Court established a women’s right to safe and legal
abortion, overriding the anti-abortion laws of many states
n 1974 – The Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits discrimination in consumer credit
practices on the basis of sex, race, marital status, religion, national origin, or receipt of
public assistance
n 1976 – The 1st marital rape law is enacted in Nebraska, making it illegal for a husband to
rape his wife
n 1978 – The pregnancy Discrimination Act bans employment against pregnant women. A
woman cannot be fired or denied a job or a promotion because she is or may become
pregnant, nor can she be forced to take a pregnancy leave if she is willing and able to
work

1984 – 1999
n 1984 – EMILY’s List (Early Money Is Like Yeast) is established as a financial network
for pro-choice Democratic women running for national political office
n 1986 – Meritor Savings Bank v Vinson – Supreme Court finds that sexual harassment is a
form of illegal job discrimination
n 1992 – Planned Parenthood v Casey – Supreme Court reaffirms the validity of a
woman’s right to abortion under Roe V Wade


n 1994 – The Violence Against Women Act tightens federal penalties for sex offenders,
funds services for victims of rape and domestic violence, and provides for special training
of police officers
n 1996 – United States v Virginia – Supreme Court rules that all-male Virginia Military
School has to admit women in order to continue to receive public funding
n 1999 – Kolstad v American Dental Association – Supreme Court rules that a woman can
sue for punitive damages for sex discrimination if the anti-discrimination law was
violated with malice or indifference to the law, even if the conduct was not especially
severe

2003 – 2012
n 2003 – Nevada Department of Human Resources v Hibbs – Supreme Court rules that
states can be sued in federal court for violations of the Family Leave Medical Act
n 2005 – Jackson v Birmingham Board of Education – Supreme Court rules that Title IX
also inherently prohibits disciplining someone for complaining about sex-based
discrimination
n 2006 – Supreme Court upholds the ban on the “partial-birth” abortion procedure –
Upholds the Partial-Birth Abortion Act
n 2009 – President Obama signed the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act, which
allows victims of pay discrimination to file a complaint with the government against their
employer within 180 days of their last paycheck.
n 2010 – Don’t’ Ask Don’t Tell Repeal Act is signed into Law by President Barack Obama
n 2011 – US Department of Education holds its first-ever Federal LGBT Youth Summit in
Washington, D.C.
n 2012 – March was proclaimed Women’s History Month by President Barack Obama


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