Citation

Seiden AM. Am. J. Psychiatry 1976; 133(9): 995-1007.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1976, American Psychiatric Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

786048

Abstract

The social and intellectual contexts of research in the area of the psychology of women are discussed. Major findings in aspects of gender differences and sexual and reproductive live are reviewed. The discussion on sexual and reproductive life includes the significance of aspects of the menstrual cycle, menopause, diseases of the reproductive organs, coitus, rape, childbirth, lactation, and fertility control. Today the norm of controlling one's own fertility is experienced as new, and pregnancy is felt to be a matter of choice. However, no contraceptive method except sterilization is 100% effective and many have medical hazards. The safest methods for women are the diaphragm and the condom with back-up abortion, but these methods are psychologically less acceptable. There is a need for research on the psychology of family planning outside of the nuclear family. Data support the conclusion that abortion is safer than normal birth.

Language: en