Feminist theorists posit that women’s central organizing core is based on themes of affiliation, connection, and relationship, rather than the themes of separation, individuation, and autonomy that are emphasized in familiar models of development. Building on the work of theorists at the Stone Center and other writers on women’s development, this article proposes a model of development that highlights relational developmental tasks and obstacles throughout the life cycle. Emphasizing the experiences of girls and women, the article addresses both successful relational development and challenges to successful relational development and notes the contrasting relational experiences and challenges for boys and men.
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