Women in Their Forties

Abstract

This paper reports on exploratory research with a sample of educated women in their forties and presents a group portrait. The generation is seen as a special one of transition in that these women have already had lives and directions established when the Women's Movement modified their options. They are the generation of both tradition and liberation and have had to cope with the integration of conflicting demands and expectations. Using a developmental perspective, the first part of the paper describes research which questioned how this specific sample of educated women in their forties react to their conflicting role inheritance and how they view their lives today because of it; how they react to change and how they view the future. Issues raised and explored are the empty nest syndrome, being independent versus being alone, dreams of achievement, the force of time and the twin evils of ageism and sexism. The second part of the paper discusses implications for psychotherapy with women in their forties.

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