The Domestication of Self: Gender Comparisons of Self-Imagery and Self-Esteem

Gender comparisons of self-conceptions were made of a systematic random sample of 797 adult Canadians. The Twenty Statements Test and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale were the measures used. Given the cultural devaluation of females and the traditional, instrumental focus of males versus the domestic, relational focus of females, the reflected appraisals proposition results in a number of hypotheses. Although the family was found to be less salient in the self-imagery of men than of women, the most important conclusion is the similarity of male-female self-conceptions. No sex differences were found in gender salience or self-esteem. The self-conceptions offull-time housewives and women in the labor force were compared. The self-esteem of working wives was significantly higher than that of housewives. However, the family retains its priority for both categories of women. In sum, all respondents showed evidence of demestication of self.