Table Of ContentWOMEN'S
PROGRESS
Promises and Problems
WOMEN IN CONTEXT: Development and Stresses
Editorial Matina Homer, Radcliffe College
Board: Martha Kirkpatrick, University of California at Los Angeles
Claire B. Kopp, University of California at Los Angeles
Carol C. Nadelson, New England Medical Center
Tufts University School of Medicine
Malkah T. Nohnan, New England Medical Center
Tufts University School of Medicine
Carolyn B. Robinowitz, American Psychiatric Association
Jeanne Spurlock, American Psychiatric Association
BECOMING FEMALE: PERSPECTIVES ON DEVELOPMENT
Edited by Claire B. Kopp
THE CHALLENGE OF CHANGE: PERSPECTIVES ON FAMILY, WORK,
AND EDUCA TION
Edited by Matina Homer, Carol C. Nadelson,
and Malkah T. Nohnan
THE WOMAN PA TIENT
Volume 1: Sexual and Reproductive Aspects pf Women's Health Care
Edited by Malkah T. Notman and Carol C. Nadelson
Volume 2: Concepts of Femininity and the Life Cycle
Edited by Carol C. Nadelson and Malkah T. Notman
Volume 3: Aggression, Adaptations, and Psychotherapy
Edited by Malkah T. Notman and Carol C. Nadelson
WOMEN IN MIDLIFE
Edited by Grace Baruch and Jeanne Brooks-Gunn
WOMEN'S PROGRESS: PROMISES AND PROBLEMS
Edited by Jeanne Spurlock and Carolyn B. Robinowitz
WOMEN'S SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT: EXPLORATIONS OF
INNER SPACE
Edited by Martha Kirkpatrick
WOMEN'S SEXUAL EXPERIENCE: EXPLORATIONS OF THE
DARK CONTINENT
Edited by Martha Kirkpatrick
WOMEN'S
PROGRESS
Promises and Problems
Edited by
JEANNE SPURLOCK AND
B.
CAROLYN RaBINOWITZ
American Psychiatric Association
Washington, D. C.
Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication on Data
Women's progress : promises and problems / edited by Jeanne Spur lock
and Carolyn B. Robmotitz.
p. cm. — (Women 1n context)
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 978-1-4899-0857-5
1. Women. 2. Mothers. 3. Family. I. Spurlock, Jeanne.
II. Rob1non1tz, Carolyn. III. Series.
HQ1154.W934 1990
305.4--dc20 90-7175
CIP
ISBN 978-1-4899-0857-5 ISBN 978-1-4899-0855-1 (eBook)
DOI 10.1007/978-1-4899-0855-1
© 1990 Springer Science+Business Media New York
Originally Published by Plenum Press, New York in 1990
Sottcover reprint of the hardcover 1st edition 1990
All rights reserved
No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted
in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, microfilming,
recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the Publisher
Contributors
Evelia v.-R. Adams • 1207 Summit Avenue, Louisville, Kentucky 40204
Paul L. Adams, M.D. • Private practice, 1169 Eastern Parkway, G-45,
Louisville, Kentucky, 40127
Mary S. Akerley, J.D. • Sasscer, Clagett, Channing & Bucher, Upper
Marlboro, Maryland 20772
Leona L. Bachrach, Ph.D. • Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Uni
versity of Maryland School of Medicine, Cantonsville, Maryland
21228
Elissa P. Benedek, M.D. • Center for Forensic Psychiatry, Ann Arbor,
Michigan 48106
Norman R. Bernstein, M.D. • Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Med
ical School, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02140
Leah J. Dickstein, M.D. • University of Louisville School of Medicine,
Louisville, Kentucky 40204
Peggy Dulany • The Synergos Institute, New York, New York 10028
Paul M. Fine, M.D. • Creighton-Nebraska Universities Departm.ent of
Psychiatry, Omaha, Nebraska 68108
Ruth L. Fuller, M.D. • Department of Psychiatry, University of Colora
do Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, Denver, Colorado
80262
Janice Hutchinson, M.D. • District of Columbia Department of Mental
Health, Washington, D. C. 20009
S. Peter Kim, M.D. • Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia
30912
Martha J. Kirkpatrick, M.D. • Department of Psychiatry, University of
California School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California 90024
Mary Pape, M.S. • Iowa Western Community College, Council Bluffs,
Iowa 51502
Carolyn B. Robinowitz, M.D. • Office of the Medical Director, Ameri
can Psychiatric Association, Washington, D.C. 20005
Louise Rogoff-Thompson, Ph.D. • Suburban Mental Health Associates,
Baltimore, Maryland 21228
v
vi CONTRIBUTORS
Jeanne Spurlock, M.D. • Office of Minority/National Affairs, American
Psychiatric Association, Washington, D.C. 20005
James W. Thompson, M.D., M.P.H. • Department of Psychiatry, Uni
versity of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21201
Thomas G. Webster, M.D. • George Washington University Medical
Center, Washington, D.C. 20037
Virginia N. Wilking, M.D. • Columbia University College of Physi
cians and Surgeons, New York, New York 10032
Foreword
Now, 25 years into our country's most recent "women's movement" for
equality, it is appropriate to reexamine the social and cultural experiences
of women. Thanks to the media, researchers, clinicians, and the general
public, all are aware that women have been unable to realize many of their
goals. At times, distress rather than satisfaction and rejection and disap
pointment rather than contentment have been the result of the ongoing
struggle of women to achieve change-the change in attitudes, behavior,
and values necessary to broaden the personal choices and work options
open to women.
Nationally recognized authorities on several of the sociocultural
issues addressed in this volume, the editors invited noted scholars and
clinicians to study some of those issues particularly relevant to women.
These include frequently neglected topics, such as the multiplicity of
responsibilities of single women and the spectrum of mothering roles,
and those more commonly discussed, such as the various roles and
patterns in the family, work options and burdens, and interpersonal
relationships. The volume provides insightful detail on two prominent
and poignant problems of the 1980s-the causes and repercussions of
homelessness and sexual life-styles. Such material may facilitate under
standing and serve as a catalyst for positive action.
The editors suggest that their volume serve as a model to encourage
researchers interested in the issues of women-and men-to investi
gate other areas of women's lives, areas rife with problems but largely
denied or ignored. A paucity of acknowledgment and understanding of
the need for change persists in a number of segments of women's life
experiences-for example, coping in the later stages of life and with the
stresses of a dual career.
The feminist movement of the 19th century had as its goal the right
to vote. Our recent women's movement, initiated in the early 1960sand
ongoing, seeks broader changes in women's lives and, consequently, in
the lives of men. The past two decades of effort have generated personal
and cultural turmoil-and change. The changes have been accompanied
by an increased awareness of the conflicts felt by some women and the
vii
viii FOREWORD
fulfillment of promises experienced by others. I congratulate the editors
of this volume and their contributors for highlighting many of the perti
nent issues that must be addressed if women-as well as their children
and men-are to enjoy the option of a better quality of life.
J.
LEAH DICKSTEIN
Louisville, Kentucky
Preface
The idea for this volume grew out of the editors' awareness and con
cerns that some of the gains of the most recent women's movement were
more mythical than real. Although we were convinced that there are
greater opportunities and options for women in our society, and particu
larly for those interested in and committed to pursuing a career, barriers
and inequities continue. We recognized, too, the various societal pres
sures that have an impact on the different life-styles that women have
chosen or have had forced upon them. It was upon these reflections that
we based the purpose of this volume-to explore current life situations
of women and their options for change and growth.
Like the others in the series Women in Context: Development and
Stresses, this volume is directed to clinicians as well as academicians,
including behavioral scientists, educators, nurses, physicians, and social
workers. It may be of particular use in women's studies programs.
In developing this volume we sought input from colleagues from
various disciplines and asked them to address specific issues from either
their personal or professional frame of reference. We are deeply indebt
ed to each of the contributors and thank them for their patience and
willingness to respond to what must have seemed to be a myriad of
editorial critiques. We are especially appreciative of the editorial services
of Joan O'Connor and 'Elyse Zuckerman, and for the secretarial as
sistance provided by Hope Ball, Linda Roll, Rosely Stanich, and Lillian
Wilson.
JEANNE SPURLOCK, M.D.
CAROLYN B. ROBINOWITZ, M.D.
ix
