Politics of Memory, Politics of Incest:

Abstract

This article takes a political and historical perspective on feminist therapy's relationship to incest and recovered memory. The criticisms of feminist therapy raised by the so-called False Memory Syndrome (FMS) movement are analyzed within the context of feminist therapy theory, and found to misrepresent actual feminist practice. Applications of feminist therapy theory to work with clients are employed to illustrate how an egalitarian and empowering philosophy of therapy will avoid potential coercive or suggestive treatments. The political meanings of incest and the necessity for feminist therapists to actively embrace overtly political solutions to the sexual abuse of children are discussed.