Applied mythology and postmodern marriage: A workshop for couples

Mickelson, J. L. (2002). Applied mythology and postmodern marriage: A workshop for couples (Doctoral dissertation, Pacifica Graduate Institute, 2002). UMI No. 3077729

This production-style, cultural-intervention dissertation examines recent understanding of gender development and the history of love and marriage in American culture. It presents a workshop for couples in long-term relationships using three myths that represent corresponding developmental stages of marriage.

Despite high rates of divorce, marriage remains the lifestyle choice for a majority of the population. Rapidly changing roles of men and women and contemporary societal context no longer match traditional expectations, while studies in gender development further challenge previous criteria for male and female behavior. Most American couples base their marriages on unsustainable romantic love, and few find appropriate models for more mature relationships that reflect the realities of postmodern life.

New definitions of marriage are emerging. One possibility is to view the relationship as an ideal psychological and spiritual container for personal growth. It is here that I place the production component of this dissertation. The workshop for couples is based upon the educational theory of transformative learning, an epistemological approach to adult education which encourages changes of cultural perspective and behavior. The method used for the creation of the workshop is applied mythology, which I define as reinterpretation of myths in such a way as to reveal their relevance to contemporary behavior and psychology, and thereby to effect a change or transformation in understanding and action.

I have deliberately chosen myths applicable to the psychological development of either a relationship or an individual, and although the characters in the myths are specifically male or female, the themes enacted may be interpreted as relevant to those of either gender: independence and interdependence, development of skills and individuation, acceptance of self and other, and wholeness in later life.

The workshop also employs narrative inquiry, art, music, and body movement to encourage couples to create a sustained, shared personal myth at a time when dominant cultural myths are fading. Through this hermeneutical act, couples may be enabled to reinterpret their relationship as a postmodern marriage: that is, one in which both partners' perceptions are validated, and both have equal voice, shared responsibilities, and mutual respect.