ABSTRACT
There is growing recognition that theories of sexuality and sexual orientation that purport to encompass both sexes simultaneously may implicitly use men’s experiences as the standard and assume that parallel processes apply to women. This assumption is particularly problematic in analyses of gender nonconformity and the development of sexual orientation. This chapter reviews research that focuses on biological processes, childhood gender nonconformity, and adult masculinity and femininity among women. To bolster the case for variable associations between gender conformity and women’s sexual orientation, it presents evidence from the historical and cross-cultural record. The chapter considers an important but neglected way in which lesbians do differ from the traditional feminine role: the need to be financially self-sufficient. It concludes by suggesting that women’s sexual orientation follows diverse developmental trajectories that are shaped by multiple biological, social and cultural influences.
