The contention that femininity makes women unsuited for political participation has roots in feminist theory and political science. This study investigated whether the desirable and undesirable dimensions of femininity, corresponding to Feminine Interpersonal Relations (FIR: warmth, nurturance, and interpersonal appeal) and Feminine Self-Doubt…

A growing body of work in relational theory and career decision making explores how relational processes, not just people's relationships but more broadly their connections to self, others, and society, inform career development and counseling. This article presents the results of a qualitative research study of midlife women in career transition…

The study was conducted in response to the need for an increased understanding of the aging experiences of women transitioning midlife. The purpose of the research was to explore the personal understanding of the changes that occur during the midlife period. A qualitative case study was implemented to ascertain how women of the Latter-day Saint…

Midlife divorce for women can be a time for creative growth or divorce can lead to loneliness, bitterness, and depression. Middle-aged women appear to experience an inordinate amount of stress from divorce because of loss of roles and lack of new role models. Based upon role theory and divorce as a normal developmental process, a feminist…

This guide for counselors describes the Critical Events Interview (CEI), a new counseling technique designed to be used with women in transition. The concept of critical events and their influence on adult development is described and the history and current status of the CEI are reviewed, along with current results of CEI evaluations and…

This Congressional subcommittee report describes a study of national policies affecting midlife women, and represents the culmination of subcommittee hearings and a detailed examination of the problems of midlife women. An overview of the problem is followed by a discussion of major issues raised at the hearings and in committee study, including…

Studies have indicated that mature women maintain a permanent role identity along two dimensions, i.e., traditional women or nontraditional women. However, the lifeset of many mature adult women may be on the continuum between these two positions, i.e., in the position of "deferred achiever." The personality variables and sex-role orientations of…

The U.S. Congress has only recently begun to evaluate the special needs of midlife women. Public policy should support the efforts of women coping with the various job, educational, and personal transitions in their lives. To refute the stereotypical labeling of midlife women, society must identify the origins of these women's insecurities and the…