The Body's Contribution to a Female Sense of Self

The study presents a theory of early female development based on infant observation studies and clinical reconstructions. Suggestions are made for applying this theory in doing psychotherapy with women. Examining earlier psychoanalytic studies on gender development in girls in the light of the infant studies underscores the role played by the body in fonning a female sense of self. It challenges us to reassess both our theory and technique in regard to female development and ueatment.