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Overview
Not only does this book offer a fresh and insightful look into women's psycho-spirtual lives, but it serves as a bridge between psychology and theology, between the psyche and the culture, and between liberal and radical feminism.Synopsis
Carroll Saussy believes that women, especially, have difficulty with self esteem because their lives are shaped and controlled by patriarchal rules and roles that make them second-class citizens. She takes a theological and ideological approach in reviewing the system that fosters such poor self esteem and provides a plan of action with specific techniques for building a stronger self-image.
Library Journal
Using a ten-item questionnaire, Saussy interviewed 21 women volunteers about their faith and self-esteem. The results form the basis for her study. Although the sample is unscientific, respondents were diverse (e.g., two were African American women). Saussy considers the development of faith in self, the effect of almost exclusively masculine God-images upon women's self esteem, and the relationship between self-esteem and women's abilities to see themselves as God images. She examines the conflict between unrealistic desire for unqualified approval and the experience of abuse (focusing especially on the experience of three women in the research group). She concludes with psychological and theological recommendations for gaining self-esteem. Recommended for most libraries.