Towards sexual empowerment : the development of women's critical self-consciousness in group work

This thesis focuses on women's experiences of sexuality. G.W.F Hegel's structure of human self-consciousness provides the philosophical foundation for the work. The researcher explores sexuality as illuminated through an examination of the dynamics of oppression and domination in the lives of women and seeks to provide an opportunity for several women to individually and collectively begin to challenge some of these dynamics by working towards an experience of sexuality as empowered and autonomous. The methodology is critical and feminist. Ten participants were Caucasian and one was Latin American. The written reflections and journals of eleven women between the ages of 18-34 provide the raw data for the thesis. The journalling was done as the women journeyed through an eight-week therapeutic awareness group. This Sexuality and Empowerment Group was designed and facilitated by the researcher to promote women's autonomy through the development of a critical self-awareness with respect to sexuality. The participants' writing indicates that the structured group process greatly contributed each woman's unique journey toward sexual empowerment and critical self- consciousness. The research provides a detailed group process outline for therapists, and makes suggestions about how to acknowledge the social realities of women's lives in the context of individual therapy.