One notable aspect of femininity is the two-fold higher rate of depression among women. This paper outlines bio-psychosocial models of depression and draws on studies of depressive disorder directly comparing men and women. It is suggested that the finding of consistently higher rates of negative self-evaluation among women may be linked to experiences of parental antipathy and favouritism in childhood, and that there is a continuity of adverse childhood experience between mothers and daughters, but not mothers and sons. It also discusses the implications of the feminine caring role for self-evaluation and affect regulation. The implications for therapeutic practice are outlined.