Gender Perspective in Cross-Cultural Couples

This article explores gender perspective in clinical work with couples whose romantic choices fall across cultural, racial and religious lines. A conceptual framework is presented to track the dimensions of differences between the two partners in intercultural couples (collective vs. individualistic). The article illustrates how emotional expressiveness, continuum of autonomy, gender differentiation, and sexuality play out in intimate cross-cultural relationships. It also shows how the embedded, culturally assigned gender beliefs and roles are addressed in treatment. Examples from the author’s clinical work are presented throughout the article.

Judith KellnerEmail: URL: www.judithkellner.com

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Judith Kellner   is a psychotherapist in Private Practice in NY City. She graduated from NYU Social Work School and the Ackerman Institute for the Family. She is pursuing her certificate in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). Her experience in cultural transition spans the globe from Israel to Europe, Asia and North America.