Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Understanding Homosexuality: Its Biological and Psychological Bases pp 83–119Cite as

Female Homosexuality—A Review

  • Chapter

  • 113 Accesses

Abstract

The word homosexuality is derived from the Greek prefix ‘homos’ meaning ‘same’, and not the Latin for man; there is no special name for male homosexuality. Female homosexuality is variously described as lesbianism, sapphism or tribadism. The first is derived from Lesbos, the Greek island in the Aegean; one of its more famous inhabitants was the lyric poetess Sappho (born about 612 BC) who founded a sort of female literary society. The popular term tribadism is a misnomer as it refers to a particular sexual practice (from Greek ‘to rub’) and not to lesbianism in general. A now obsolete term ‘urninde’ was proposed by Ulrichs in 1862. The first person to use the term lesbian in the sexual sense would seem to be Aristophanes (fourth century) in his play ‘The Frogs’ (405 BC).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. West, D.J. (1968). Homosexuality. 3rd edn. ( London: Duckworth )

    Google Scholar 

  2. Caprio, F.S. (1957). Female Homosexuality; a Psychodynamic Study of Lesbianism. ( London: Owen )

    Google Scholar 

  3. Cory, D.W. (1964). The Lesbian in America, ( New York: Citadel )

    Google Scholar 

  4. Magee, B. (1966). One in Twenty. ( London: Seeker and Warburg )

    Google Scholar 

  5. Wolff, C. (1971). Love Between Women. ( London: Duckworth )

    Google Scholar 

  6. Feldman, M.P. and MacCulloch, M.J. (1971). Homosexual Behaviour: Therapy and Assessment. ( Oxford: Pergamon )

    Google Scholar 

  7. Kenyon, F.E. (1973). Homosexuality. A Family Doctor Booklet. ( London: British Medical Association )

    Google Scholar 

  8. Maclnnes, C. (1973). Loving Them Both: A Study of Bisexuality and Bisexuals. ( London: Brian and O’Keefe )

    Google Scholar 

  9. Nicolson, N. (1973). Portrait of a Marriage. ( London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson )

    Google Scholar 

  10. Kenyon, F.E. ( 1974. Homosexuality in the Female in Contemporary Psychiatry: Reviews from the British Journal of Hospital Medicine, 1966 - 1972. ( T. Silverstone, and B. Barraclough, editors) (Kent: Headley Bros. Ltd. )

    Google Scholar 

  11. Kinsey, A.C., Pomeroy, W.B., Martin, C.E. and Gebhard, P.H. (1953). Sexual Behaviour in the Human Female. ( Philadelphia: Saunders )

    Google Scholar 

  12. Churchill, W. (1967). Homosexual Behaviour Among Males; a Cross-Cultural and Cross-Species Investigation. ( New York: Hawthorn Books )

    Google Scholar 

  13. Ford, C.S. and Beach, F.A. (1952). Patterns of Sexual Behaviour. ( London: Eyre and Spottiswoode )

    Google Scholar 

  14. Bancroft, J. (1972). The relationship between gender identity and sexual behaviour. Some clinical aspects, Chpt. 4 in Gender Differences: Their Ontogeny and Significance. (C. Ounsted and D.C. Taylor, editors) ( London: Churchill Livingstone )

    Google Scholar 

  15. Gluckman, L.K. (1967). Lesbianism in the Maori. Aust. N.Z. J. Psychiat., 1, 98

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Atkins, J. (1973). Sex in Literature. Vol. 2, ( London: Calder and Boyars )

    Google Scholar 

  17. Fisher, S.H. (1965). Sexual Inversion, 165 ( J. Marmor, editor) (New York: Basic Books )

    Google Scholar 

  18. Licht, H. (1932). Sexual Life in Ancient Greece. ( London: Routledge and Kegan Paul )

    Google Scholar 

  19. Kiefer, O. (1934). Sexual Life in Ancient Rome. ( London: Routledge and Kegan Paul )

    Google Scholar 

  20. Gulik, R.H. van (1961). Sexual Life in Ancient China. ( Leiden: Brill )

    Google Scholar 

  21. Mischel, W. (1967). The Development of Sex Differences (E.E. Maccoby, editor) ( London: Tavistock Publications )

    Google Scholar 

  22. Kohlberg, L. (1967). The Development of Sex Differences (E.E. Maccoby, editor) ( London: Tavistock Publications )

    Google Scholar 

  23. Beauvoir, Simone, de (1953). The Second Sex (H.M. Parshley, translator and editor) ( London: Jonathan Cape )

    Google Scholar 

  24. Simon, W. and Gagnon, J.H. (1967). Sexual Deviance (J.H. Gagnon and W. Simon, editors) ( New York: Harper and Row )

    Google Scholar 

  25. Freeman, G. (1967). The Undergrowth of Literature. ( London: Nelson )

    Google Scholar 

  26. Foster, J.H. (1958). Sex Variant Women in Literature. ( London: Muller )

    Google Scholar 

  27. Damon, G. and Stuart, L. (1967). The Lesbian in Literature: A Bibliography. ( California: The Daughters of Bilitis )

    Google Scholar 

  28. Brittain, V. (1968). Radclyffe Hall: A Case of Obscenity. ( London: Femina Books )

    Google Scholar 

  29. Mavor, E. (1971). The Ladies of Llangollen: A Study in Romantic Friendship. ( London: Michael Joseph )

    Google Scholar 

  30. Ward, D.A. and Kassebaum, G.G. (1965). Women’s Prison: Sex and Social Structure. ( London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson )

    Google Scholar 

  31. Giallombardo, R. (1966). Society of Women; a Study of a Women’s Prison. ( New York: Wiley )

    Google Scholar 

  32. Vedder, C.B. and Kiiig, P.G. (1967). Problems of Homosexuality in Corrections. ( Illinois: Thomas )

    Google Scholar 

  33. Bailey, D.S. (1955). Homosexuality and the Western Christian Tradition. ( London: Longmans )

    Google Scholar 

  34. Pittenger, N. (1970). Time for Consent: A Christian’s Approach to Homosexuality. ( London: S.C.M. Press Ltd. )

    Google Scholar 

  35. Kaye, H.E., Berl, S., Clare, J., Eleston, M.R., Gershwin, B.S., Gershwin, P., Kogan, L.S., Torda, C. and Wilbur, C.B. (1967). Homosexuality in women. Arch, gen. Psychiat., 17, 626

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Kenyon, F.E. (1968). Studies in female homosexuality IV and V. Brit. J. Psychiat. 114, 1337 and 1343

    Google Scholar 

  37. Hyde, H.M. (1970). The Other Love: An Historical and Contemporary Survey of Homosexuality in Britain. ( London: Heinemann )

    Google Scholar 

  38. Sherfey, M.J. (1966). The evolution and nature of female sexuality in relation to psychoanalytic theory. J. Amer. Psychoanal. Assoc., 14, 28

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Freud, S. (1905). The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works, vol. VII, 7 ( London: Hogarth Press (1953)

    Google Scholar 

  40. Freud, S. (1914-16) ibid. vol. XIV (1957) p. 147

    Google Scholar 

  41. Freud, S. (1920) ibid. vol. XVIII (1955) p. 147

    Google Scholar 

  42. Freud, S. (1927-31) ibid. vol. XXI (1961) p. 225

    Google Scholar 

  43. Freud, S. (1932-36) ibid. vol. XXII (1964) p. 7

    Google Scholar 

  44. Thompson, C. (1947). Changing concepts of homosexuality in psychoanalysis. Psychiatry, 10, 183

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Adler, A. (1917). The homosexual problem. Alienist, Neurol, 38, 268

    Google Scholar 

  46. Jung, C.G. (1964). The Collected Works, vol. 10, 97, 113,( London: Routledge and Kegan Paul )

    Google Scholar 

  47. Robertson, G. (1972). Parent-child relationships and homosexuality. Brit. J. Psychiat., 121, 525

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Bene, E. (1965). On the genesis of female homosexuality. Brit. J. Psychiat., 111, 815

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Klein, V. (1946). The Feminine Character; History of an Ideology. (London: Kegan Paul, Trench and Trubner )

    Google Scholar 

  50. Maccoby, E.E. (1967). Editor,The Development of Sex Differences. ( London: Tavistock Publications )

    Google Scholar 

  51. Grygier, T.G. (1957). Psychometric aspects of homosexuality. J. ment. Sci. 103, 514

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Stringer, P. (1967). Masculinity-femininity as a possible factor underlying the personality responses of male and female art students. Brit. J. soc. clin. Psychol., 6, 186

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Wright, B. and Tuska, S. (1966). The nature and origin of feeling feminine. Brit. J. soc. clin. Psychol, 5, 140

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Goldberg, P.A. and Milstein, J.T. (1965). Perceptual investigation of psychoanalytic theory concerning latent homosexuality in women. Percept. Motor Skills, 21, 645

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Fromm, E.O. and Elonen, A.S. (1951). The use of projective techniques in the study of a case of female homosexuality. J. Project. Techn., 15, 185

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Armon, V. (1960). Some personality variables in overt female homosexuality. J. project. Techn., 24, 292

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Hopkins, J.H. (1970). Lesbian signs on the Rorschach. Brit. J. Proj. Psychol., 15, 7

    Google Scholar 

  58. Sherman, J.A. (1971). On the Psychology of Women: A Survey of Empirical Studies. ( Illinois: Charles C. Thomas )

    Google Scholar 

  59. Maslow, A.H. (1942). Self-esteem (dominance-feeling) and sexuality in women. J. soc. Psychol., 16, 259

    Article  Google Scholar 

  60. Terman, L.M. and Miles, C.C. (1936). Sex and Personality: Studies in Masculinity and Feminity. ( New York: McGraw-Hill )

    Book  Google Scholar 

  61. Henry, G.W. (1951). Sex Variants; a Study of Homosexual Patterns. ( London: Cassell )

    Google Scholar 

  62. Hirschfeld, M. (1952). Sexual Anomalies and Perversions. (N. Haire, editor) ( London: Encyclopaedic Press )

    Google Scholar 

  63. Ellis, Havelock (1936). Studies in the Psychology of Sex. vol. II, part II Sexual Inversion. 3rd edn. ( New York: Random House )

    Google Scholar 

  64. James, S., Orwin, A. and Davies, D.W. (1972). Sex chromosome abnormality in a patient with transsexualism. Brit. med. J., 3, 29

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Slater, E. (1962). Birth order and maternal age of homosexuals. Lancet, i, 69

    Google Scholar 

  66. Abe, K. and Moran, P.A.P. (1969). Parental age of homosexuals. Brit. J. Psychiat., 115, 313

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. Gundlach, R.H. and Riess, B.F. (1967). Birth order and sex of siblings in a sample of lesbians and non-lesbians. Psychol. Rep., 20, 61

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. Pardes, H., Steinberg, J. and Simons, R.C. (1967). A rare case of overt and mutual homosexuality in female identical twins. Psychiat. Quart., 41, 108

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Parker, N. (1964). Homosexuality in twins: a report on three discordant pairs. Brit. J. Psychiat., 110, 489

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Koch, G. (1965). Die Bedeutung geustischer Faktoren fur das mensehliche Verhalten. Arztl. Prax., 17, 839

    Google Scholar 

  71. Heston, L.L. and Shields, J. (1968). Homosexuality in twins: a family study and a registry study. Arch. gen. Psychiat., 18, 149

    Article  Google Scholar 

  72. Swyer, G.I.M. (1954). Homosexuality: the endocrine aspects. Practitioner, 172, 374

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  73. Perloff, W.H. (1965). Sexual Inversion, 44 ( J. Marmor, editor) (New York: Basic Books )

    Google Scholar 

  74. Loraine, J.A., Ismail, A.A.A., Adamopoulos, D.A. and Dove, G.A. (1970). Endocrine function in male and female homosexuals. Brit. med. J., 4, 406

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  75. Loraine, J.A. Adamopoulos, D.A., Kirkham, K.E., Ismail, A.A.A. and Dove, G.A. (1971). Patterns of hormonal excretion in male and female homosexuals. Nature, 234, 552

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  76. Donovan, B.T., and Bosch, J.J., van der Werff Tern (1965). Physiology of Puberty. ( London: Arnold )

    Google Scholar 

  77. Money, J. and Ehrhardt, A.A. (1968). Endocrinology and Human Behaviour, 32 ( R.P.Michael, editor) (London: Oxford University Press )

    Google Scholar 

  78. Dörner, G. (1968). Hormonal induction and prevention of female homosexuality. J. Endocrinol., 42, 163

    Article  Google Scholar 

  79. Kane, F.J., Lipton, M.A. and Ewing, J.A. (1969). Hormonal influences in female sex response. Arch. gen. Psychiat., 20, 202

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  80. Henry, G.W. and Galbraith, H.M. (1934). Constitutional factors in homosexuality. Amer. J. Psychiat., 13, 1249

    Google Scholar 

  81. Kenyon, F.E. (1968). Physique and physical health of female homosexuals. J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiat., 31, 487

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  82. Coppen, A.J. (1959). Body-build of male homosexuals. Brit. med. J., 2, 1443

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  83. Kenyon, F.E. (1968). Studies in female homosexuality, VI—the exclusively homosexual group. Acta psychiat. Scand 44, 224

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  84. Eisinger, A.J., Huntsman, R.G., Lord, J., Merry, J., Polani, P., Tanner, J.M., Whitehouse, R.H. and Griffiths, P.D. (1972). Female homosexuality. Nature, 238, 106

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  85. Kenyon, F.E., (1972). Some characteristics of female patients referred with homosexual problems. In Psychosomatic Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, p. 379 ( N. Morris, editor) ( Basel: Karger )

    Google Scholar 

  86. Saul, LJ. and Pulver, S.E. (1965). The concept of emotional maturity. Comprehens. Psychiat., 6, 6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  87. Timms, N. (1968). Rootless in the City. National Council of Social Service, London.

    Google Scholar 

  88. Kremer, M.W. and Rifkin, A.A. (1969). The early development of homosexuality: a study of adolescent lesbians. Amer. J. Psychiat., 126, 91

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  89. Saghir, M.T. and Robins, E. (1969). Homosexuality—1. Sexual behaviour of the female homosexual. Arch. gen. Psychiat 20, 192

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  90. Stoller, R.J. (1969). Sex and Gender. ( London: Hogarth Press )

    Google Scholar 

  91. Barahal, H.S. (1953). Female transvestism and homosexuality. Psychiat. Quart., 27, 390

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  92. Kenyon, F.E. (1971). The life and health of Joan of Arc. Practitioner, 207, 835

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  93. Schultz, J.H. (1963). Intersexuality (C. Overzier, editor) ( London: Academic Press )

    Google Scholar 

  94. Roth, M. and Ball, J.R.B. (1964). Intersexuality in Vertebrates including Man. (C.N. Armstrong and A.J. Marshall, editors) ( London: Academic Press )

    Google Scholar 

  95. Vogt, J.H. (1968). Five cases of transsexualism in females. Acta psychiat. Scand 44, 62

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  96. Pauly, I.B. (1969). Adult Manifestations of Female Trans-sexualism. In Transsexualism and Sex Reassignment. (R. Green and J. Money, editors) (Baltimore: The John Hopkins Press)

    Google Scholar 

  97. Hoenig, J., Kenna, J. and Youd, A. (1970). Social and. Economic aspects of transsexualism. Brit. I. Psychiat 117, 163

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  98. Glover, E. (1943). The Psycho-Pathology of Prostitution. Institute for the Study and Treatment of Delinquency, London.

    Google Scholar 

  99. Gibbens, T.C.N. (1957). Juvenile prostitution. Brit. J. Delinq., 8, 3

    Google Scholar 

  100. Cowie, J., Cowie, V. and Slater, E. (1968). Delinquency in Girls. ( London: Heinemann )

    Google Scholar 

  101. Henriques, F. ( 1962, 1963, 1968). Prostitution and Society: A Survey. 3 vols. ( London: Macgibbon and Kee )

    Google Scholar 

  102. Walker, N. (1965). Crime and Punishment in Britain, 295 ( Edinburgh: University Press )

    Google Scholar 

  103. Gluckman, L.K. (1966). Lesbianism—a clinical approach. N.Z. med. J., 65, 443

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  104. Ellis, A. (1956). The effectiveness of psychotherapy with individuals who have severe homosexual problems. J. cons. Psychol., 20, 191

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  105. Salzman, L. (1965). Sexual Inversion, 234 ( J. Marmor, editor) (New York: Basic Books )

    Google Scholar 

  106. Bilitis Study (1959). One Institute Quarterly: Homophile Studies, 11, 113

    Google Scholar 

  107. Gundlach, R.H. and Riess, B.F. (1968). New Directions in Mental Health, vol. I, ( B.F. Riess, editor) (New York: Grune and Stratton )

    Google Scholar 

  108. Kenyon, F.E. (1968). Studies in female homosexuality—psychological test results. J. cons. clin. Psychol 32, 510

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  109. Kenyon, F.E. (1971). Personality neuroticism and female homosexuality. Proc. Vth World Congr. Psychiat.

    Google Scholar 

  110. Hopkins, J.H. (1969). The lesbian personality. Brit. J. Psychiat 115, 1433

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  111. Siegelman, M. (1972). Adjustment of homosexual and heterosexual women. Brit. J. Psychiat., 120, 477

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  112. Schatzman, M. (1973). Soul Murder: Persecution in the Family. ( London: Allen Lane )

    Google Scholar 

  113. Klaf, F.S. (1961). Female homosexuality and paranoid schizophrenia: a survey of seventy-five eases and control. Arch. gen. Psychiat., 4, 84

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  114. Klaf, F.S. (1961). Evidence of paranoid ideation in overt homosexuals. J. soc. Ther., 7, 48

    Google Scholar 

  115. Klein, H.R. and Horwitz, W.A. (1949). Psychosexual factors in the paranoid phenomena. Amer. J. Psychiat., 105, 697

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  116. Kendrick, D.C. and Clarke, R.V.G. (1967). Attitudinal differences between heterosexually and homosexually oriented males. Brit. J. Psychiat., 113, 95

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  117. Glick, B.S. (1959). Homosexual panic: clinical and theoretical considerations. J. nerv. ment. Dis., 129, 20

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  118. Landis, C., Landis, A.T. Bolles, M.M., Metzger, H.F. Pitts, M.W., D’Asopo, D.A., Moloy, H.D., Kleegman, S.J. and Dickinson, R.L. (1940). Sex in Development. ( New York: Hoeber )

    Google Scholar 

  119. Rosenfeld, H.A. (1965). Psychotic States: A Psycho-Analytical Approach. ( London: Hogarth Press )

    Google Scholar 

  120. McCord, W. and McCord, J. (1960). Origins of Alcoholism. ( London: Tavistock Publications )

    Google Scholar 

  121. Scott, P. (1964). The Pathology and Treatment of Sexual Deviation, 87 ( I. Rosen, editor) (London: Oxford University Press )

    Google Scholar 

  122. Righton, P. (1973). Counselling Homosexuals: A Study of Personal Needs and Public Attitudes. ( London: Bedford Square Press )

    Google Scholar 

  123. Bieber, I., Dain, H.J. Dince, P.R., Dreilid, M.G., Grand, H.G., Gunlach, R.H., Kremer, M.W., Rifkin, A.H., Wilbur, C.B. and Bieber, T.B. (1962). Homosexuality: a Psychoanalytic Study. ( New York: Basic Books )

    Book  Google Scholar 

  124. Mayerson, P. and Lief, H.I. (1965). Sexual Inversion, 302 ( J. Marmor, editor) (London: Basic Books )

    Google Scholar 

  125. Fox, B. and Di Scipio, W.J. (1968). An exploratory study in the treatment of homosexuality by combining principles from psychoanalytical theory and conditioning: theoretical and methodological considerations. Brit. J. med. Psychol., 41, 273

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  126. Feldman, M.P. (1966). Aversion therapy for sexual deviations: a critical review. Psychol. Bull., 65, 65

    Article  Google Scholar 

  127. Gebhard, P.H. (1965). Sex and Behaviour (F.A. Beach, editor) ( New York: Wiley )

    Google Scholar 

  128. MacCulloch, M.J. and Feldman, M.P. (1967). Aversion therapy in management of 43 homosexuals. Brit. med. J., 2, 594

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  129. Blitch, J.W. and Haynes, S.N. (1972). Multiple behavioural techniques in a case of female homosexuality. J. Behav. Ther. Exp. Psychiat., 3, 319

    Article  Google Scholar 

  130. McConaghy, N. and Barr, F.F. (1973). Classical, avoidance & backward conditioning treatments of homosexuality. Brit. J. Psychiat., 122, 151

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. F. E. Kenyon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Social Medicine, University of Edinburgh, UK

    J A Loraine

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1974 Medical and Technical Publishing Co. Ltd.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Kenyon, F.E. (1974). Female Homosexuality—A Review. In: Loraine, J.A. (eds) Understanding Homosexuality: Its Biological and Psychological Bases. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-6141-1_3

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-6141-1_3

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-011-6143-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-6141-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation