Do women and men speak in different voices? A comparative study of self-evolvement

A comparative study of women's and men's levels of self evolvement was conducted based on Kegan's Constructive-Developmental Theory. The samples for the study were drawn from groups of American women and men in military service in Europe and their dependents, as well as civilians employed by the American military. The participants level of self evolvement was determined by Kegan's Subject-Object Interview. The results indicated that there were no gender differences in levels of self evolvement. Hence, the orientation toward individuation and increased autonomy, which is stereotypically masculine, and the orientation toward attachment and dependence, which is stereotypically feminine, are not necessarily based on innate male or female characteristics. The tendency towards separateness or inclusion may be related more to individual differences and other factors such as the social and cultural environment.