Readings on the Psychology of Women

Neither a prescription for women's liberation nor a protest against prevailing [1970] stereotypes, this provocative book is the first attempt by a psychologist (and mother of three) to integrate biological, psychological, and medical data into an incisive presentation of the American woman today. Dr. Bardwick explains with objectivity, insight, humor, and candor the origin and development of sex differences, the consequences of society's preference for the characteristic masculine qualities, and the limitations placed on psychologically competent women. She reveals the ambivalences, gratifications, conflicts, and frustrations that women experiences in their attempts to conform to or transcend a culturally defined role that is valued yet deprecated. Dr. Bardwick shows that despite fundamental differences between the sexes, traditional role divisions are too restrictive, making changes in role allocation logical, necessary, and probable.ns