ABSTRACT
Traumatic spinal cord injury is one of the most extreme forms of stress in human experience. Destruction of self-esteem, disintegration of intimate relationships, and loss of social role can be additional consequences of the severe physical disability. The traditional view of sex roles holds that dependency and passivity are more natural for females than for males. A woman, even if disability requires that she use a wheelchair, can manage a household, direct others in household tasks, provide emotional support to a family, and function sexually in a "relatively passive'' manner. The chapter provides some findings from an exploratory study of changes in role and feminine self-concept among spinal cord injured women from a predominantly rural culture. Traditional sex role stereotypes place a negative value on many traits believed to be typical of females. The stereotypes promote belief in the inferior competence of women and limit the social role choices available as a means to fulfillment of individual needs and capacities.
