Complications in the development of a female sexual identity

Abstract

This paper describes the struggle to develop a female sexual identity and the importance of the roles of the father and mother in this struggle. The clinical illustration is taken from the psychotherapy of an anorectic adolescent.

Keywords:

• female sexual identity
• role of the father
• anorectic
• introjective identification
• adolescent development

Acknowledgement

I would like to express my gratitude to the heavily disguised patient, Grazia, and Dr Anne Alvarez who supervises my clinical work with patients and also to Tara Pepper Goldsmith and Ellen Jaffe who helped with the writing of this paper.