BATTERED MEN - INFERIORITY IN MALES

Alfred Adler's contribution to feminism is reviewed, in particular his concept of the masculine protest. The trend among feminists to disreg ard Adler's achievement (while attacking Freud) is considered in terms of a more general feminist myopia. The phenomenology of males within partriarchy is examined, specifically pertaining to feelings of inferi ority and shame. In this context, Adler's concept of inferiority feeli ngs is reconsidered in the light of instincts and self-creativity. It is demonstrated how male defensiveness expressed in partriarchal schem ata may derive from conscious and unconscious ideation about our sexua l biology.