The Heteropatriarchal Complex: A Queer Jungian Perspective on Gender and Sexuality

By combining Queer theory and analytical psychology, this article aims to provide analysts with a tool for effectively addressing the suffering of queer individuals. It offers a historical perspective, demonstrating that heterosexuality should be understood as a system, rather than merely a sexual desire. By reframing heterosexuality in this way, we can better comprehend the impact of living in a society where heterosexuality is the norm, relegating queer people to unintelligible positions within that system. I argue that this phenomenon reflects the workings of a cultural complex, which I term the "heteropatriarchal complex." By confronting the shadow elements of this complex, we open up new possibilities for listening to and engaging with queer clients. Drawing on the work of queer theorists and historical evidence, I suggest that working through the heteropatriarchal complex enables the creation of a new language-one that allows for the naming and exploration of experiences outside the confines of heteronormativity.