The pure masculine and pure feminine elements in clinical practice: the story of Vítor

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to discuss the pure male and pure female elements described by Winnicott as forms of "objects relationships". They are basic elements for "being" and "doing", and a primary condition for creative living considered by the author a universal proposition associated to health. In his view, primary creativity, represents an attitude towards external reality that results in being and feeling alive, that is, in feeling that life is worth living. It is also author's opinion that, although the development of gender differences is a key to constitution of male and female identities, the pure male and female elements must be present and integrated in every human being. A clinical case is discussed based on these premises, wich proved very helpful in understanding of the patient's dynamic.