Homosociality and Female Depression

Abstract

The disproportionately large number of women compared to men among those identified as victims of depression presents both a serious social problem and a challenge to our understanding of social processes and issues. Role‐related explanations for this peculiar sex ratio do not adequately account for its incidence, its prevalence, or its persistence over time. The variable, “relational deficit,” as particularly having to do with the different ways that men and women relate to their own sex (homosociality), is proposed as a potentially clarifying concept in this context. It is suggested that the female way of being social — whatever its basis — since it involves bonding and affiliative attachment renders women more vulnerable to social deprivation and hence vulnerable to depression. Alleviation of the discriminating practices which undercut the self‐esteem and confidence of women and thus contribute to the helplessness which engenders depression is urged, as are self‐initiated behaviors among women to change especially the negative view of woman's world and to rehabilitate female homosociality.

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