Many obstacles inhibit women from realizing their leadership potential: confusion about giftedness, psychological and cultural barriers to owning and displaying one's abilities, and ambivalent attitudes toward exceptional ability in women. Encourages feminist psychologists to respond to gifted women's unique affective needs, and focuses on…

This study of 197 eminent Canadian women on the dynamics of their childhood families, investigated their perceptions of having a special status or role. Over three-quarters indicated they were considered special within their families. They attributed it to their birth order, scholastic achievement, condition of health, or display of talents.…

The opinions of gifted female students at an academically challenging southern high school concerning how women, especially southern women, are portrayed on television were solicited. The girls were guided in examining assumptions, identifying role models, and rejecting the stereotype of the southern woman. (DB)

Discussed are the effects of sexist cultural norms and stereotypes that cause gifted girls to believe they must choose between femininity and intellectual achievement. (LH)

This article explores the impact of internal barriers, priorities, and personal decisions on the realization of the potential of gifted females. Dilemmas relating to family, fear of success, the development of resilience, multi-potentiality, absence of planning, confusion about effort and ability, perfectionism, unreal expectations, and loneliness…

This intergenerational study focused upon obstacles confronting three gifted women in three generations in the same family. Obstacles included providing for basic needs of family, children, work, and others; the role of personal satisfaction as a quality of life; and the ability to accommodate wants, needs, and expectations of others. (Author/CR)