Why do women hamper other women?

In virtually every forum in which I’ve been asked to speak on a gender-related subject over the past 25 years (about 100 academic health centers and 20 professional societies), I am asked some version of ‘‘Why do women treat each other so badly?’’ The turmoil resulting from feeling undermined or cut by a trusted woman seems to have more negative impact than women’s conflicts with men have. Despite the high prevalence of these experiences, the dynamics related to women’s conflicts with other women have remained largely unaddressed. Based on observations accumulated over many years and settings, I therefore offer a framework for consideration of woman-to-woman conflicts, as well as constructive strategies for handling predictable interpersonal difficulties. Given their critical roles as mentors of women, men may also find these perspectives of value.