Post by iz42 on Nov 30, 2019 2:41:11 GMT
I recently found an article that helped me understand the crux of what I have found hard to swallow about codependency as a theory and a diagnosis. Please note that I do think there are some useful elements to it, and I identify with codependent qualities, but it's important to acknowledge the contributing social factors. The theory itself first became popular during the self-help movement in the 1980s.
The article is titled "A critical analysis of the concept of codependency" by Sandra C. Anderson and it was published in the journal Social Work in 1994. Here is an excerpt:
"The codependency movement and associated self-help literature pathologize behaviors associated with female qualities. Many women are now convinced that because of their caretaking qualities, femininity itself is a pathology. Wetzel (1991) noted that behaving in a stereotypically feminine manner is sufficient to earn a DSM-III-R diagnosis of dependent personality disorder or histrionic personality disorder.
Thus, characteristics of codependency can be viewed as reflections of the prescribed cultural roles of women. As noted by Walters (1990), "Codependents fit the archetypes usually drawn to describe women--overinvolved, depending upon others for approval, not taking care of herself, having poor boundaries, intoxicated with relationships, too willing to assume blame, putting the needs of others before herself." Wetzel (1991) added that such women were often socialized to be dependent, have no self-esteem, and live vicariously through others.
Waiters (1990) noted further that the co-dependency label blurs the power differential between the doer and the audience: "What began as a way of helping people to understand how they get pulled into a set of behaviors and become part of a destructive system has been translated into a model in which the codependent is as instrumental in a set of dysfunctional interactions as the one with the behavioral problem." Krestan and Bepko (1990) stated that "the codependency label, on a political level, becomes simply another tool in the oppression of women, fostering denial of male accountability." In essence, when men are clearly impaired, their female partners must also be labeled as sick to maintain the balance of power in the relationship."
The article is titled "A critical analysis of the concept of codependency" by Sandra C. Anderson and it was published in the journal Social Work in 1994. Here is an excerpt:
"The codependency movement and associated self-help literature pathologize behaviors associated with female qualities. Many women are now convinced that because of their caretaking qualities, femininity itself is a pathology. Wetzel (1991) noted that behaving in a stereotypically feminine manner is sufficient to earn a DSM-III-R diagnosis of dependent personality disorder or histrionic personality disorder.
Thus, characteristics of codependency can be viewed as reflections of the prescribed cultural roles of women. As noted by Walters (1990), "Codependents fit the archetypes usually drawn to describe women--overinvolved, depending upon others for approval, not taking care of herself, having poor boundaries, intoxicated with relationships, too willing to assume blame, putting the needs of others before herself." Wetzel (1991) added that such women were often socialized to be dependent, have no self-esteem, and live vicariously through others.
Waiters (1990) noted further that the co-dependency label blurs the power differential between the doer and the audience: "What began as a way of helping people to understand how they get pulled into a set of behaviors and become part of a destructive system has been translated into a model in which the codependent is as instrumental in a set of dysfunctional interactions as the one with the behavioral problem." Krestan and Bepko (1990) stated that "the codependency label, on a political level, becomes simply another tool in the oppression of women, fostering denial of male accountability." In essence, when men are clearly impaired, their female partners must also be labeled as sick to maintain the balance of power in the relationship."