Masculine protest: gender, power and belonging

Week 3 in our 6 week workshop series continues building on the foundations of Adlerian psychology. This week we turn to one of Adler's most misunderstood — and most relevant — ideas: masculine protest.

Adler wasn't just talking about men. To him it was a protest against perceived weakness and qualities which were seen as "feminine".
He was in fact describing something more universal that applies to anyone, no matter their gender presentation: the way any of us, can develop a neurotic drive toward superiority, perfection, overworking and dismiss vulnerability, softness and collaboration. A striving that looks like strength but is rooted in insecurity.

In this 90-minute session we'll explore where this drive comes from, how it shows up across all genders, and why the pursuit of superiority so often leaves us more disconnected — from others, and from ourselves. We'll question some assumptions about power, softness, and what it actually means to belong.
Most of us are running this pattern in some form. Few of us have named it.

Open to everyone. No background in psychology required.

Workshop Format: Short explanation of Adlerian theory. Discussion using open questions with the whole group. Encouraging self reflection and small steps of growth.

This is not a counselling or counselling training session. It is aimed at the general population who are curious to learn about Adler and themselves.