Antioch University AURA - Antioch University Repository and Archive Student & Alumni Scholarship, including Dissertations & Theses Dissertations & Theses 2012 The Origin of a Sense of Self in Women Kimberly Dewing Robbins Antioch University - Santa Barbara Follow this and additional works at: http://aura.antioch.edu/etds Part of the Clinical Psychology Commons, Developmental Psychology Commons, Esthetics Commons, Ethics and Political Philosophy Commons, Family, Life Course, and Society Commons, Gender and Sexuality Commons, and the Gerontology Commons Recommended Citation Robbins, Kimberly Dewing, "The Origin of a Sense of Self in Women" (2012). Dissertations & Theses. 99. http://aura.antioch.edu/etds/99 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Student & Alumni Scholarship, including Dissertations & Theses at AURA - Antioch University Repository and Archive. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations & Theses by an authorized administrator of AURA - Antioch University Repository and Archive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. THE ORIGIN OF A SENSE OF SELF IN WOMEN A dissertation submitted by KIMBERLY DEWING ROBBINS to ANTIOCH UNIVERSITY SANTA BARBARA In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY in CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY __________________________________________________________________ Barbara Lipinski, Ph.D., J.D., Chair __________________________________________________________________ Salvador D. Trevino, Ph.D., Faculty __________________________________________________________________ Garret Wyner, Ph.D., Student Reader __________________________________________________________________ Roberta L. Nutt, Ph.D., ABPP, External Expert ABSTRACT This phenomenological study focuses on how a strong sense of self in women changes social precepts and gender stereotypes empowering women to define themselves instead of being defined by society. A sense of self may be defined as the ability to distinguish one’s own values from those of any outside persuasions, and to do so well enough to be able to protect those ideals from unwanted external influence. Is a sense of self, realized at a young age, an innate feeling or developed over time through adversity and the maturation process? This study will specifically look at what influences can be attributed to gaining a strong sense of self. For women in the twenty-first century, the barrage of multiple directives can mean the difference between success and failure. American culture sends strong messages about who women should be, what women should be, and how they are supposed to look and behave. Eight women between the ages of 55-70 were nominated for having a strong sense of self. Mental health professionals, university professors, and colleagues were contacted with the criteria for the nomination process. These criteria included women whom they considered as having a strong sense of self, emotional stability, and the ability to maintain boundaries. The eight women nominated described their lived experience of having a strong sense of self over the course of approximately eleven hours of audio-recorded interviews. Using a phenomenological analysis a sense of self was interpreted to observe common themes. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thank you to the eight beautiful, courageous, and strong women who graciously gave their story, with the hope of helping all women gain a stronger sense of self. To my dissertation committee, Barbara Lipinski, Ph.D., J.D., Salvador D. Trevino, Ph.D., Garret Wyner, Ph.D., and Roberta L. Nutt, Ph.D., ABPP, thank you for your dedication and support throughout this process. Dr. Barbara Lipinski, thank you for always believing in me and holding a tangible vision that helped me to fulfill my pursuit towards my personal calling in the field of psychology. Thank you for your constant encouragement. To my Antioch cohort thank you for your encouragement and support. Thank you to Dr. Julie Pearce for always lending your support, encouragement, and belief in me to reach my goals. To Amy and Sara, thank you for your loving support and camaraderie. To Clay, my husband, who is my constant and dearest friend, thank you for your endless support, love, and belief in me. To Aimee and Adam, thank you for reading and rereading papers, for the countless hours of pep talks, and most of all your love and belief in me. Etta, thank you for your faith and commitment to prayer. To Christy, Jonathan, and Clay, thank you for your support, love, and encouragement. To my parents thank you for joining me in pressing toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God. iii Table of Contents ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................ ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................... iii Chapter I: Introduction ........................................................................................................ 1 Chapter II: Review of the Literature ................................................................................... 5 Stages of Development ................................................................................................... 5 Social Stereotypes and Social Conditioning ................................................................. 16 Society and Female Stereotypes ................................................................................... 18 Current Trends and Appearance Expectations On Women .......................................... 21 Chapter III: Methodology ................................................................................................. 31 Main Research Question ............................................................................................... 34 Research Methods. ........................................................................................................ 34 Chapter IV: Results ........................................................................................................... 35 Data ............................................................................................................................... 35 Taylor ........................................................................................................................ 35 Summary ............................................................................................................... 39 Jennifer ...................................................................................................................... 39 Summary ............................................................................................................... 43 Catherine ................................................................................................................... 44 Summary ............................................................................................................... 47 Leslie ......................................................................................................................... 47 Summary ............................................................................................................... 50 Robyn ........................................................................................................................ 51 Summary ............................................................................................................... 54 Sabrina ...................................................................................................................... 54 Summary ............................................................................................................... 58 Susan ......................................................................................................................... 58 Summary ............................................................................................................... 62 Madeline ................................................................................................................... 63 Summary ............................................................................................................... 66 Findings......................................................................................................................... 67 Summary of Findings .................................................................................................... 68 Chapter V: Discussion and Implications........................................................................... 71 Overview ....................................................................................................................... 71 The Common Themes ................................................................................................... 71 Parenting according to gender stereotypes and the derived qualities of self-worth. 71 Body Image ........................................................................................................... 73 Self-efficacy through family status. .......................................................................... 74 Morality and work ethics were indicative of a strong sense of self. ......................... 76 Inner voice ............................................................................................................ 76 Boundaries ...........................................................................................................