On Our Own Terms

By redefining current theories of competence motivation and sex-role identity, this work offers a powerful reconceptualiztion of what it means to be a competent woman in today's society. Analyses of case studies of competent women lead to a new theory that enables women to attain positive self-esteem based on internally desired and determined criteria. This new theory challenges prevailing theories of competence motivation and sex-role identity development that assume competence and femininity to be mutually exclusive.