Through the Lens of Postmodernism: Uniqueness of the Anorectic Families

Authors

Zenobia C.Y. Chan, The Chinese University of Hong KongFollow
Joyce L.C. Ma, The Chinese University of Hong KongFollow

Abstract

This paper challenges the monolithic assumption of the anorectic families in Hong Kong by blindly adopting the western theoretical framework of family therapy. It is problematic that family therapy lacks indigenous culture-specific knowledge and ignores the voices of these multi-categories of families. It is inappropriate to conceptualize these families as being similar and to stereotype them as experiencing particular difficulties. In order to bridge the homogeneity and address the multiplicity of these families, the paper examines both the ideologies of postmodernism and the process of confession that can enrich the understanding of anorectic families and advance family practice. The paper ends by discussing both reservations and the significance of the postmodernist thought in family therapy.

Keywords

Postmodernism, Confession, Families, Family Therapy, and Hong Kong

Acknowledgements

This work is supported in part by a grant (CUHK: 4090/99H) from the Hong Kong Research Grant Council. The deepest respect and appreciation are extended to those families who were brave enough to seek help from our family treatment.

Publication Date

6-1-2005

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

DOI

10.46743/2160-3715/2005.1848

Recommended APA Citation

Chan, Z. C., & Ma, J. L. (2005). Through the Lens of Postmodernism: Uniqueness of the Anorectic Families. The Qualitative Report, 10(2), 246-256. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2005.1848