Creative solutions to embedded cultural norms: Childlessness shame transformed by relational analysis

ABSTRACT

The unmet cultural norm of motherhood can constrain a woman’s sense of social equality. Childlessness is often accompanied by social stigma and shame. The author identifies personal barriers within both patient and analyst that were unforeseen prior to the treatment process. The author implements reverie to open deeper aspects of her mind that allows further exploration into the patient’s dreams. This interplay between analyst and patient evokes additional memories from the patient’s earlier life. The paper is written in a lovely prose style that demonstrates the creative growth of the author while transforming the artistic pursuits of the patient. Both patient and analyst benefit from this mutual awareness of limitations towards new creative possibilities.

KEYWORDS:

• Childless
• cultural norms
• motherhood
• relational analysis
• shame

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Caroline de Pottel

Caroline de Pottel is a supervising and training analyst at both the San Diego Psychoanalytic Center and ICP in Los Angeles. She has been in private practice for over 30 years conducting psychoanalysis, supervision, and teaching. She served as Director of Education at SDPC where she also teaches beginning and advanced writing to psychoanalytic candidates. Currently, in addition to a busy practice, she recently published Accessing the Unspeakable: Psychoanalysis and Poetry, Vol. I: Tenacity of Desire.