Codependency: An Interpersonal Phenomenon

In the popular and clinical lit, codependency hasspouse and children to the neglect of i's ego, yet
been defined as a disease (Wegscheider-Cruse,conformity to this expectation is now labeled
1985), a personality disorder (Cermak, 1986), andcodependence. Based on the women's liberationist
a maladaptive way of relating to others (Fischer,critique of codependency as applied Thomas More
Spann, & Crawford, 1991). These definitions andto women than to , we that codependent women
descriptions of codependency in the typicallyand their relationships would be seen as to a
emanate from a linear perspective of individuallesser extent intelligent than codependent and
pathology, yet the construct is interpersonal intheir relationships. Continued from page 2.
nature and does not exist in isolation. From aThe grammatical gender force showed that
social-psychological position, clinical and popularfemale person SPs were seen as better partners,
models of codependency rich person overlookedbut as showing emotion levelheaded than male
the impact of the interpersonal environment onperson SPs in the codependent part. These
codependent behaviour and on judgments offindings not surprising viewed as a reflection of
codependency. A mortal exhibiting behaviors suchcultural expectations of women to be the helpers,
as across-responsibility for others and neglect ofnurturers, and managers of relationships (Moth
1's own needs whitethorn be viewed differently inmiller, 1985; Tavris, 1992) while at the same time,
the linguistic context of a human relationship inwomen performing this purpose viewed as sound
which their collaborator fails to exhibit equivalentthan . Interestingly, the effects of the conditions
concern and attention than in a kinship ofwere not moderated by the of the SP, despite
mutuality and reciprocity. From the view ofthe lay targeting codependent women with
differential might, Hagan (1989) has callednonreciprocating manful partners. The finding that,
codependency a euphemism for the practice ofacross conditions, distaff raters viewed the
dominance and mastery.relationships as salubrious than did manly raters,
Foster, Kasl (1989) has referred to codependencyand the codependent SP Sir Thomas More
as a "disease of inequality" and a term fordysfunctional and good for you(p) than virile
"internalized oppression" (p. A contextual onraters viewed them, Crataegus laevigata be an
codependency can be viewed as reflectingindication that women to a greater extent critical
inequality in a family relationship rather thanof the -sacrificing use than , regardless of the
evidence of a personality disorder. Oncedescription of the better half's .
caretaking doings is not reciprocated in a , aAlso, women Crataegus oxycantha be familiar
condition of inequality and hyponymy exists.with the problems associated with -sacrifice and
commensurate caretaking behaviors reciprocated,sensitized to issues of codependence than due to
the can be viewed as I of equal mightiness.the large number of -help books about
Support for the powerlessness interpretation ofcodependency directed toward women. Part of
codependency was provided by Cowan,the codependency labeling process worthy of
Bommersbach, and William Curtis's (1995) surveyfuture sketch includes the conditions under which
of codependence and ability. Among both collegepeople mark themselves codependent.
women and college , codependency tons wereSubordinated partners in a of unequal world
positively related to to the use of indirect (or firstpower May be likely to themselves codependent
gear exponent) strategies to get ace's way andthan partners in a of reciprocal major power. The
negatively germane(p) to single's perceived indexfrustrations of nonreciprocity in a make it easier
in a .to assign a codependency to ane's rather than to
Historically, social norms for the traditionalrecognize inequality within the . With the
marriage bear dictated that the wife adapt to theabundance of codependency groups and the
husband's lifestyle and career and be the primarypopularity of the term in everyday language,
feather caretaker of the home and children.further examination of the societal and personal
Paradoxically, the potential normative for womenissues that birth made codependency a compelling
includes -involvement in the needs of unity'sconcept, is warranted.