On the genesis of anorexia nervosa--a feminist perspective.

Anorexia nervosa may occur, in part, in an effort not to delay an adult role but rather to delay the encumbered female adult role of being wife and mother. By weight loss, the patient assumes an androgenous form and role, in an assertion of desire for independence and self-actualization, rather than a reversion to the role of dependent child. The incidence of anorexia is increased by the inappropriately thin female ideal in Western society. A focus on self-actualization and independence should be an important aspect of therapy, and continued efforts need to be made to a societal atmosphere of judgement of women predominantly in the context of appearance and domestic duties.