GENDER-ROLES AND ROLE-CONFLICT IN FEMINIST LESBIAN AND HETEROSEXUAL WOMEN

Thirty-nine lesbian and 39 heterosexual feminist women were compared o n (1) gender role orientation; (2) intra- and interrole conflict in da ughter, intimate partner, and work roles; and (3) satisfaction with in terpersonal relationships with parents, intimate partners, and co-work ers/employers. The majority were Caucasian and either graduate student s or professionals. Contrary to theoretical assumptions, lesbians and heterosexual women did not differ in gender role orientation. Heterose xual women reported more interrole conflict between daughter and work roles; whereas lesbians reported more interrole conflict between daugh ter and intimate partner roles, primarily as a result of perceived dis approval of their intimate relationships by others. Lesbians additiona lly reported less satisfaction with their relationships with co-worker s and employers- Role conflict/satisfaction was not a function of disc losure vs. nondisclosure of sexual orientation for the lesbian women.