Sixty white middle-class infants were seen in the Ainsworth Strange Situation at 12 months of age; 50 of these participants (21 males, 29 females) were recontacted 20 years later and interviewed using the Berkeley Adult Attachment Interview (AAI). The interviewers were blind to the participants' Strange Situation classifications. Overall, 72% (36/50) of the infants received the same secure versus insecure attachment classification in early adulthood (kappa = .44, p < .001). As predicted by attachment theory, negative life events, defined as (1) loss of a parent, (2) parental divorce, (3) life threatening illness of parent or child (e.g. diabetes, cancer, heart attack), (4) parental psychiatric disorder, and (5) physical or sexual abuse by a family member were an important factor in change. Fifty-six percent (10/18) of the infants whose mothers reported negative life events changed attachment classifications from infancy to early adulthood. Only 28% (9/32) participants who reported no such events changed classification (p < .05). These results support Bowlby's hypothesis that individual differences in attachment security can be stable across significant portions of the lifespan and yet remain open to revision in light of experience. The task now is to use a variety of research designs, measurement strategies, and study intervals to clarify the mechanisms underlying stability and change.One of Bowlby's primary goals in developing modern attachment theory was to preserve what he considered Freud's genuine insights about close relationships and development. These included insights about (1) the complexity of social, cognitive, and emotional life in infancy, (2) underlying similarities in the nature of close relationships in infancy and adulthood, and (3) the importance of early experience.In order to preserve these insights, Bowlby recast Freud's insights in terms of control systems and ethological theories. He also placed his own imprint on them, replacing cathectic bonding with evolved secure base patterns as the common thread in infant and adult relationships. He also placed greater emphasis on the openness of early relationships to change, especially in light of real-life experiences.

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The experience of divorce is difficult for everyone involved. To best help with the legal experience, we need to understand gender differences that affect the process. This article adds to the understanding of that difference by addressing women's development and the female “voice.” Women have not been acculturated to the subtle rules of litigation, which are in the male “voice.” The authors offer an alternative scenario to add balance to the traditional experience of divorce for women and men and to the divorce process itself.