Women Out of Order: Risking Change and Creating Care in a Multicultural World

by Jeanne Stevenson-Moessner, Teresa Snorton (Editor)

While there are many similarities among women's experiences, there are undeniable and important differences as well. Assembling a leading group of theologians, social scientists, and practitioners, this volume pioneers pastoral care of and by women in light of differences in race and ethnic background, class, generations, sexual orientation, and experience with the cultural realities that typically assail women.

Genres: Nonfiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Rhonda McCarty · Rating 5 out of 5]

The editors of this book go out of their way to bring voices from a variety of women working in the areas of Pastoral Care and Theology, who are not all white European-Americans, to address the issues that confront women in a variety of cultural contexts. Some are very culturally specific. Some can be applied more broadly. One common thread is narrative – the value of telling our stories. Together they also note the overlapping oppression that women who are also not part of the dominant race, class, or sexual orientation face. They draw from the social sciences as well as pastoral theology, looking for contextual clues to how history has shaped the struggles of women. There are some limitations – for example, no Middle Eastern or African women are represented, though Asian women and to some extent Native American, European and Latin American women have a voice. In several articles there is a deliberate attempt to not only understand the other, but to learn to work together with women in other situations and contexts. It is well researched and a dense collection of material. I have used this book many times since first buying it in 2010, and each time I learn a tremendous amount from it. I would recommend it as a reference for anyone working with women, but essential for those working (in any way) with women who are from another cultural context.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is really helpful if you want to try to include a larger cross-section of the world in your community, whether that is a ministry, faith community, or other undertaking. It gives some good insights into the specific things people go through if they have multiple otherness, for example black women or 1.5 generation Asian American women. Because the essays are by all different people, there is some repetition of material among them, but I think that's good reinforcement.

[Pat Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving this book. It has been helpful during my CPE process