Work of Whiteness: A Psychoanalytic Perspective

This book explores the psychological implications of whiteness, including the fragility of whiteness, the color-blind approach, and the silencing process of disavowal, and proposes the concept of the cultural complex to connect the individual and the social. It is essential for psychoanalysts, psychotherapists, social workers, and anyone interested in the role of white privilege on mental health.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 148 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Whiteness, a socially constructed concept, holds significant implications for human psychology and the fight against racism. This book delves into these implications from a psychoanalytic and Jungian analytic perspective, shedding light on the fragile nature of whiteness, the color-blind approach, and the silencing process of disavowal that perpetuate white privilege and racism within white liberal families. By critiquing the colonial roots of psychoanalytic theories, the book challenges the notion of separating the individual from society in modern analytic thinking. The cultural complex is proposed as a valuable tool for connecting individuals and society. Through clinical examples and real-life scenarios, the author illustrates the impact of whiteness on mental health and offers practical solutions for addressing racism in clinical work, supervision, and institutions. This book is a valuable resource for psychoanalysts, psychotherapists, social workers, and anyone interested in understanding the role of white privilege in mental health.

Weight: 258g
Dimension: 155 x 233 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367218362