Gender specific groups are more effective than integrated groups, because men and women process experiences in different ways, and they respond differently to each other in more open ways when in the company of their own gender. Women tend to more inward focused, while men tend to be outward focused.
Women groups are structured different than men’s groups in that women need bonding with other women in order to find their inner strength Corey, Corey & Corey (2010) point out “Members learn that they are not alone, and they share and begin to critically explore the messages they have internalized about their self-worth and their place in society” (p.370). Women learn how to be women in their groups, from each other. Women need to feel safe, before …show more content…
Men can open up more deeply when in a group of other men without women present. Their masculinity barrier can be more easily over come in the presence of men who can drop their masks and reveal the more emotional aspects that are there, but often hidden. Corey et al. (2010) state “…many men in our society still live according to a traditional masculine model of what it is to be a man” (p.375). Many men feel as if they have to keep a cold, hard, rugged image of themselves or other men will consider them as weak. Men do however have a feminine “side “but it is very seldom expressed in front of others, and is even self-denied. This is often referred to as gender role conflict (GRC) O’Neil (2013) explains “For men, the personal experience of GRC represents the negative consequences of conforming to, deviating from, or violating the gender role norms of masculinity ideology” (p. 490). Men do not like to breakdown and show weak emotions in front of other men, and this barrier has to be overcome in a men’s counseling group in order for negative issues to be dealt with. Corey et al. (2010) in describing the effectiveness of men’s group states “Traditional forms of individual therapy may not be the best way to reach male clients. Groups for men offer some unique advantages in assisting men in clarifying their gender roles and helping them cope with life’s struggles “(p.375). If women were in the group, then these men may have an even more difficult time getting through
Women groups are structured different than men’s groups in that women need bonding with other women in order to find their inner strength Corey, Corey & Corey (2010) point out “Members learn that they are not alone, and they share and begin to critically explore the messages they have internalized about their self-worth and their place in society” (p.370). Women learn how to be women in their groups, from each other. Women need to feel safe, before …show more content…
Men can open up more deeply when in a group of other men without women present. Their masculinity barrier can be more easily over come in the presence of men who can drop their masks and reveal the more emotional aspects that are there, but often hidden. Corey et al. (2010) state “…many men in our society still live according to a traditional masculine model of what it is to be a man” (p.375). Many men feel as if they have to keep a cold, hard, rugged image of themselves or other men will consider them as weak. Men do however have a feminine “side “but it is very seldom expressed in front of others, and is even self-denied. This is often referred to as gender role conflict (GRC) O’Neil (2013) explains “For men, the personal experience of GRC represents the negative consequences of conforming to, deviating from, or violating the gender role norms of masculinity ideology” (p. 490). Men do not like to breakdown and show weak emotions in front of other men, and this barrier has to be overcome in a men’s counseling group in order for negative issues to be dealt with. Corey et al. (2010) in describing the effectiveness of men’s group states “Traditional forms of individual therapy may not be the best way to reach male clients. Groups for men offer some unique advantages in assisting men in clarifying their gender roles and helping them cope with life’s struggles “(p.375). If women were in the group, then these men may have an even more difficult time getting through