Tilburg University Girls 'falling off' Crump, E.A. Publication date: 2015 Document Version Publisher's PDF, also known as Version of record Link to publication in Tilburg University Research Portal Citation for published version (APA): Crump, E. A. (2015). Girls 'falling off': Therapeutic practices that matter. [s.n.]. 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Download date: 02. okt. 2021 Girls 'Falling Off' Therapeutic Practices that Matter Proefschrift ter verkrijging van de graad van doctor aan Tilburg University op gezag van de rector magnificus, prof. dr. Ph. Eijlander, in het openbaar te verdedigen ten overstaan van een door het college voor promoties aangewezen commissie in de Ruth First zaal van de Universiteit op maandag 18 mei 2015 om 14.15 uur door Ellen Andrea Crump geboren op 30 januari 1963 te London, Canada Promotores: Prof. dr. J.B. Rijsman Prof. dr. M. Hoskins Overige commissieleden: Prof. dr. M. Gergen Prof. dr. S. McNamee Dr. C. Camargo Borges Dr. J.L. Meyer ii | P a g e Girls “Falling Off” Therapeutic Practices that Matter iii | P a g e Ellen Crump M.T.S., M.S.W. For Andrea and all my girls…… …..may you always ride in balance - with confidence, direction, and purpose. iv | P a g e Appreciations I present this dissertation not as a work of “mine,” but as a polyphony. I feel more like the orchestra conductor than the composer. While I have fashioned the arrangement and drawn together the authors, writers, advisers, interviewees, scholars, clients, editors, practitioners and thinkers, it is through our joining this work has been performed. I have many appreciations to express... To Dr. Marie Hoskines my thesis adviser - known to me a “Marie Poppins.” Each time I was unsure, stuck, or overwhelmed Marie reached into her magic bag and retrieved an author, a book or a question to send me on my way. I truly appreciate all of her care, time, and support, but mostly I appreciate Marie’s belief in me and my work. I count it a great privilege to have come know Marie and to have her cycling beside me on this journey. To my fellow cyclists: Karen Young M.S.W., Dr. Christine Dennstedt, Dr. Harlene Anderson and Dr. Kenneth Gergen for not simply sharing their time and knowledge, but for deeply sharing themselves - including their held passion for constructionist/postmodern ideas. To my husband Steve for listening to all the Social Construction “stuff,” for being my greatest supporter (in all things) and for his countless hours of editing! To my son Logan….for the many trips to the McMaster University Library where he (an engineering student) had to sign out books like, “Feminist Practice and Poststructuralist Theory.” To my daughter Andrea….for the inspiration to “find ways” to help girls thrive. To my clients and their families for sharing their lives and stories with me. I am honoured. To the doctoral committee and promoters: Dr. J.B. Rijsman, Tilburg University; Dr. M. Hoskins, University of Victoria; Dr.M. Gergen, Penn State University; Dr. S. McNamee, University of New Hampshire; Dr. C. Camargo Borges, NHTV Breda; Dr. J.L. Meyer, Universiteit van Amsterdam, for their thoughtful evaluation, invaluable comments, and kind words. To the Taos Institute for creating the context for practitioners like me to learn and grow in such significant ways v | P a g e Itinerary Introduction: Girls “Falling Off” ................................................................................................... 1 How I Came to this Work ........................................................................................................... 2 Girls “Falling Off” – Failure to Thrive ....................................................................................... 3 The Study of “Girls” from the 1990’s ......................................................................................... 4 Invitation to Ride ......................................................................................................................... 8 Chapter 1: Wheeling through the Geography of Girlhood ........................................................... 10 Girls Enchanted - Loss of Voice ............................................................................................... 12 Morality and Consciousness...................................................................................................... 16 Relational Attachment ............................................................................................................... 22 Socio-Cultural Factors............................................................................................................... 27 Chapter 2: The Social Construction Zone .................................................................................... 33 Modernism: God to I ................................................................................................................ 36 Postmodernism: Moving from “I” to “We” ............................................................................ 40 The Social Construction Zone ................................................................................................... 43 Discourse of “We” - Relational, Social, Narrative.................................................................... 46 Chapter 3: Danger Falling Rock – Post Structural Feminists ....................................................... 58 Beyond “Problematizing” Girls ................................................................................................ 59 The “Ideal Girl” ......................................................................................................................... 63 “Falling Off” ............................................................................................................................. 65 Gaining Balance ........................................................................................................................ 66 Chapter 4: Identity Construction in a Disordered World ............................................................. 69 The Spell of Individualism ........................................................................................................ 70 Who is the I behind the Pronoun? ............................................................................................. 74 The Myth of Perfect .................................................................................................................. 78 The Relational Self - It’s a Matter of Being .............................................................................. 83 vi | P a g e PIT STOP ...................................................................................................................................... 87 Chapter 5 Brief Road Guide to Postmodern Therapy ................................................................. 89 Individual to Relational ............................................................................................................. 90 Postmodern Assumptions .......................................................................................................... 92 The Posture of the Therapist ..................................................................................................... 95 The Action of Therapy .............................................................................................................. 97 Chapter 6 Dialogues in Motion I ................................................................................................ 100 Invisible, Sticky Expectations and Requirements - Dialogue with Karen Young M.S.W ...... 101 Visibility Lenses: Externalizing and Deconstructing Conversations .................................. 101 Safe Pathways and Cultural Resiliency ............................................................................... 105 Dialogue on Agency ............................................................................................................ 110 Riding in Balance ................................................................................................................ 117 Down on Street Level: Dialogue with Christine Dennstedt Ph.D. .......................................... 119 Chapter 7 Dialogues in Motion II ............................................................................................... 128 A Voice in the Room - Dialogue with Harlene Anderson Ph.D. ........................................... 129 Does a girl have a voice? ..................................................................................................... 130 Listen me into existence ...................................................................................................... 133 Inner Relational Voices ......................................................................................................