College Age Lesbianism as a Developmental Phenomenon

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Abstract
Based on clinical work with lesbian college students, this paper discusses a relationship between their lesbianism and the development of autonomy and intimacy. Three subgroups among the students are described, oriented respectively to: ideology, personal development, and interpersonal feelings. It is suggested that for these students lesbian orientation be understood in terms of ongoing ego development more than arrested psychosexual development. The students oriented to ideology and personal development seem to be experiencing a shift from authority and sense of identity located externally, in others' expectations, to a more autonomous, self-governing self. The interpersonally-oriented students seem more focally involved with issues of intimacy than of autonomy. The cultural context is seen as crucial to the lesbianism of these students, particularly traditional cultural assumptions of male dominance and more recent changes in womens' attitudes toward themselves. It is assumed that homosexuality may have many styles, origins and meanings, and that this paper does not elucidate the experience of all lesbians or even all lesbian college students.

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