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Who is Charles Socarides?

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Charles W. Socarides, M.D.
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Charles W. Socarides, M.D.

Charles W. Socarides (January 24, 1922 - December 25,2005), was born in Brockton, Massachusetts. He was a psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, physician, educator, and author.

Contents

Psychiatric career

Charles Socarides determined at the age of 13, after reading a book on the life of Sigmund Freud, that he would become a physician and psychoanalyst. Charles Socarides graduated from Harvard College and went on to receive his certificate in Psychoanalytic Medicine from Columbia University in 1952. He was the author of sixteen books as well as over 80 psychoanalytic articles. He appeared on numerous news programs to discuss his psychoanalytic work and findings. Charles Socarides was the past president of the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH), which he co-founded in 1992. Charles Socarides was on the board of directors of the Margaret S. Mahler [Psychiatric Research Foundation]. He was a member of the International Advisory Committee, Second Delphi International Psychoanalytic Symposium, Delphi, Greece, 1988. He was also a member of the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the [Association for Psychoanalytic Medicine], and the International Psychoanalytical Association. Furthermore, he was a life member of the American Psychoanalytic Association, where he chaired a discussion group for many years, and an affiliate member of the Royal Society of Medicine, London, United Kingdom. A practicing psychiatrist and psychoanalyst in New York City from 1954 until his death, Charles Socarides taught Psychiatry at Columbia University and the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, and was Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, from 1978 to 1996. He lectured on his research findings in London at the [Anna Freud Centre], the Portman Clinic, the [Tavistock Clinic], and before the British Psychoanalytical Society. His numerous awards include that of Distinguished Psychoanalyst, Association of Psychoanalytic Psychologists, British National Health Service, London, England, April 28, 1995; the first Sigmund Freud Lectureship Award, New York Center for Psychoanalytic Training, New York City; the 1987 Sigmund Freud Award given by the [American Society of Psychoanalytic Physicians] in recognition of distinguished service to psychiatry and psychoanalytic research; and the Physicians Recognition Award of the American Medical Association from 1970 to 1973.

Much of Dr. Socarides' career was devoted to studying how homosexuality develops and how it might be gotten rid of. Socarides postulated that homosexuality was a neurotic adaptation, and that it could be treated. Socarides wrote that male homosexuality typically develops in the first two years of the boy's life, during the preoedipal stage of the boy's personality formation, and is caused by a controlling mother who prevents her son from separating from her, and a weak or rejecting father who does not serve as a role model for his son and does not support what Socarides perceived as a son's effort to escape from the mother.

Dr. Socarides treated patients for homosexuality throughout his career. He reported that "about a third" [link] of his patients became heterosexual and led heterosexual lives after treatment. Socarides' views were not shaken by the 1973 decision of the American Psychiatric Association to remove homosexuality from its list of mental disorders. In his book [Homosexuality: A Freedom Too Far], he explained that he kept treating patients because he believed that homosexual people who are unhappy with their homosexual orientation should be able to become heterosexual.

Criticism

Reparative therapy, which is any therapy aimed at changing the sexual orientation of a patient, has come under much criticism in recent years. There is no solid evidence that it works, and many psychologists believe it may be harmful, particularly to young people. The American Psychiatric Association's official position statement on the issue states "In the last four decades, "reparative" therapists have not produced any rigorous scientific research to substantiate their claims of cure. Until there is such research available, APA recommends that ethical practitioners refrain from attempts to change individuals' sexual orientation, keeping in mind the medical dictum to first, do no harm." [COPP Position Statement on Therapies Focused on Attempts to Change Sexual Orientation (Reparative or Conversion Therapies)] American Psychatric Association, March 2000

Groups that reject the idea of reparative therapy include The National Association of Social Workers, The American Psychological Association, The American Psychiatric Association, The American Counseling Association, and The American Academy of Pediatrics. [Just the Facts About Sexual Orientation & Youth: A Primer for Principals, Educators and School Personnel] 1999, American Psychological Association

Personal life

Socarides was married and divorced three times before marrying his fourth wife, Clare, in 1988. Richard Socarides, a noted gay rights activist and former advisor to Bill Clinton, was the product of his first marriage, along with a daughter who died in 1991. He had two more children from his second marriage, and one from his fourth marriage.

Socarides died on December 25, 2005, due to heart failure at the age of 83.

Bibliography

  1. Socarides, Charles W. (1995). Homosexuality: A Freedom Too Far. Roberkai. ISBN 0964664259.
  2. Socarides, Charles W. (1978). Homosexuality. Jason Aronson, Inc. ISBN 0876683553.
  3. Socarides, Charles W.; & Karasu, Toksoz B. (1979). On Sexuality: Psychoanalytic Observations. International Universities Press. ISBN 082363857X.
  4. Socarides, Charles W. (1975). Beyond Sexual Freedom. New York Times/Quadrangle Books. ISBN 0812905326.
  5. Socarides, Charles W.; & Kramer, Selma (1975). Work and Its Inhibitions: Psychoanalytic Essays. International Universities Press. ISBN 0823668665.
  6. Socarides, Charles W. (1977). The World of Emotions: Clinical Studies of Affects and Their Expression. International Universities Press. ISBN 0823668673.
  7. Volkan, Vamik D.; & Socarides, Charles W. (1990). The Homosexualities: Reality, Fantasy, and the Arts. International Universities Press. ISBN 0823623475.
  8. Socarides, Charles W. (1968). The Overt Homosexual. Jason Aronson, Inc. ISBN 0876681623.
  9. Loeb, Loretta L.; & Socarides, Charles W. (2004). The Mind of the Paedophile: Psychoanalytic Perspectives. Karnac. ISBN 1855759705.
  10. Socarides, Charles W. (1988). Preoedipal Origin and Psychoanalytic Therapy of Sexual Perversions. International Universities Press. ISBN 0823642879.
  11. Socarides, Charles W. (1989). Homosexuality: Psychoanalytic Therapy. Jason Aronson, Inc. ISBN 0876688148.
  12. Volkan, Vamik D.; & Socarides, Charles W. (1991). The Homosexualities and the Therapeutic Process. International Universities Press. ISBN 0823623483.
  13. Socarides, Charles W.; & Freedman, Abraham (2002). Objects of Desire: The Sexual Deviations. International Universities Press. ISBN 082363731X.
  14. Jennings, James; & Socarides, Charles W. (1994). A Day at a Time: Daily Reflections for Recovering People. Hazelden Foundation. ISBN 1568380488.
  15. Siegel, Elaine V.; & Socarides, Charles W. (1984). Dance-Movement Therapy: Mirror of Our Selves: A Psychoanalytic Approach. Human Sciences Press. ISBN 0898851939.
  16. Socarides, Charles W. (1992). Sexual politics and scientific logic: The Issue of Homosexuality. Association for Psychohistory. ASIN B0006RCH62.

References

External links

 

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