Women's Place in Man's Life Cycle

Until reading this chapter of Carol Gillian's book "In a Different Voice: Psychological Theory and Women's Development, I never though about how boys and girls differ in term of their attachments to their mothers. What I found interesting about this chapter was Gillian's usage of previously well known psychologist to somewhat clarify this theory. She goes on to say that "masculinity is defined through separation while femininity is defined through attachment, male gender is threatened by intimacy while female gender is threatened by separation" (Gillian 804). I think this quote buys into the double standards that exist today in terms of how men and women are viewed and treated. Women are seen as fragile creatures that always react based on their emotions, while men are seen as more level headed dominant because of their strength. Why is this? I in no way think that one sex is superior over the other, however in exploring the theories presented in this chapter, there are obviously others out in the world that do. And I find it ironic that these psychologist ultimately blame this difference on a woman; "attributes these differences between the sexes not to anatomy but rather to "the fact that women, universally, are largely responsible for early child care" (Gillian 803). This pissed me off! While yes women, usually the mothers, are the care givers of children, I believe that there are more contributing factors that help influences the differences that exist between the development of males and females.

Gillian, Carol. "Women's Place in Man's Life Cycle." A World of Ideas: Essential Readings for the College Writer. Ed. Lee A. Jacobus. 7th ed. New York. Bedford/St.Martins. 2006. pp. 801-817.