ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses normative, female, heterosexual adolescence, and the social and cultural demands that reciprocally influence intrapsychic demands and processes. Developmental theories that describe the process of adolescence for girls assume heterosexuality. Sexuality surges during midadolescence and takes its final form during late adolescence. Successful resolution of adolescence results in a firm sense of identity, i.e., an internally consistent sense of self, including a sense of pride in one’s sexual identity. Thus, adolescence becomes a time of increased interest in “feminine behavior” in order to win approval and affirmation from authorities, male and female peers and the wider culture. Perhaps lesbian-identified girls are less influenced by gender intensification and depend more on achievements and excellence to foster a stable ego. “Coming out” as an additional developmental process and lesbian adolescence as a normal developmental pathway need psychoanalytic attention and research.
