What do you think?
Rate this book
Understanding Women
An examination of the psychology of women from a feminist point of view includes discussions of psychotherapy and gender identity
212 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
7 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 6, 2009
great insight - amazingly quick read - totally empowering!
June 14, 2016
I found it riveting and answered a lot of issues I had with my mother and I'm sure my daughter has with me.
The uncaring I experienced with my mother I knew came from her background: the pushing away; the telling me I was going to have to look after myself was, I see now part of a long tradition of womens roles.
Orbach feels that until several generations of couples share the childcare. allowing both boys and girls to experience nurturing from both mothers and fathers we as women will not feel sure of ourselves and will not feel valued.
Our society still undervalues women (even though this may be changing with more men taking on the caring roles). It has been a way of keeping us in our roles as the care givers but not receivers. We grow up always giving of ourselves while not getting the care we need for ourselves.
The book touched so many sore points in my psyche.
The uncaring I experienced with my mother I knew came from her background: the pushing away; the telling me I was going to have to look after myself was, I see now part of a long tradition of womens roles.
Orbach feels that until several generations of couples share the childcare. allowing both boys and girls to experience nurturing from both mothers and fathers we as women will not feel sure of ourselves and will not feel valued.
Our society still undervalues women (even though this may be changing with more men taking on the caring roles). It has been a way of keeping us in our roles as the care givers but not receivers. We grow up always giving of ourselves while not getting the care we need for ourselves.
The book touched so many sore points in my psyche.
February 10, 2018
Some really insightful theories about how mother-daughter relationships may develop over generations. I loved the links to feminism and wider cultural influences.
July 27, 2007
A little too object relations for my taste.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews