Date of Award
1998
Document Type
Open Access Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Department
Social Work
First Advisor
Curt Paulsen
Second Advisor
Anthony Bibus
Third Advisor
Beth Zemsky
Abstract
The concept of authenticity has not been studied as it relates to the lives of gay men. Hence, the concept of authenticity was explored through the literature and qualitative research methods. *Participants were key informants, including ministers, psychologists, and social workers. The study findings revealed the oppressive and anxiety-provoking existential givens experienced by gay men. Also, the study findings revealed that some gay men seek to avoid suffering and succumb to dread, while others actively confront their suffering through courage, responsibility, love, faith, spontaneity, and creativity. The gay men who confront their suffering become more aware of their innate strengths of compassion, love, faith, spontaneity, and creativity. Gay men who seek to avoid suffering lose awareness of their innate strengths and potentialities.
Identifier
SC 11.MSW.1998.Wales.TG
Recommended Citation
Wales, Thomas G., "Gay Men and the Process of Becoming Authentic: An Exploratory Study" (1998). Theses and Graduate Projects. 981.
https://idun.augsburg.edu/etd/981