The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between gender identity and relational aggression. Women's relationships are instrumental in the establishment and maintenance of a positive self-concept and identity, yet relational aggression is a common aspect of female friendships. The authors investigated this role conflict, focusing on the dynamics of power, control, and conflict resolution in friendships among adolescent girls. They hypothesized that adolescent girls with a traditional feminine gender identity would be more likely to use relational aggression to assert power and control and to resolve conflicts in their female friendships. Quantitative methodology was used to investigate the following research question: Does gender identity status relate to girls' use of relational aggression in their female friendships? For the qualitative part of their study, they posed the following research questions: (1) What reasoning did girls use to explain the use of relational aggression? and (2) What reasoning did girls use to explain how being female influences the manner in which conflict is resolved? Multiple regression analysis revealed that adolescent girls in this study who identified with a more traditional feminine gender role were more likely to perceive themselves as using relational aggression than were adolescent girls who identified with a nontraditional gender role. The results of the qualitative analysis seemed supportive of the quantitative results. In the sample, adolescent girls seemed to believe that their female peers, compared with male peers, were more likely to resort to indirect styles of conflict management and that indirect forms of conflict management, including rumor spreading and alliance seeking, are effective ways to gain status or harm the status of rivals. In conclusion, the use of relational aggression is most likely a symptom of the systemic oppression of women through sexist practices. Within a traditional feminine worldview, the art and practice of assertiveness are often associated with promoting self-interests at the expense of others. Traditional gender role stereotyping has created a narrow range of behavioral options that allow young women to be angry while remaining visibly "nice" in their overt behavior. Socialization and societal practices that foster freedom from external validation will be helpful in placing the power to develop as unique individuals into the hands and hearts of young women.