Is There Adult Development Distinctive to Women?

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the adult development distinctive among women. Adulthood of women cannot be decided on the basis of any single investigation. There are three assumptions on women's adult development: (1) the assumption is that the biological differences as socially interpreted and elaborated by individuals produce lives with content that is substantially different for men and women. There are universal differences in the early socialization of male and female offspring. Women have almost always occupied a subordinate position in society. Women's sexual attractiveness to men and their childbearing function have always played key roles in the social construction of women's lives. (2) As per this assumption is that the lives of men and women are different in some cultures and in some periods of history. Today, both men and women are engaged in paid work. Even when gender differences are pronounced, however, men and women share experiences that give an important shape to adult development. They see their children mature and their parents die. (3) This assumption suggests that there are not only main themes but also main variations in women's life stories. There are women who emphasize mothering, those who emphasize the role of intimate companion, and those who emphasize work and career.