Women and Self-Esteem : Understanding and Improving the Way We Think and Feel about Ourselves

by Sanford, Linda Tschirhart (Author); Donovan, Mary Ellen (Author)

• ISBN13: 9780140082258
• ISBN10: 0140082255
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1985-09-01
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics)

Summary

Many women feel the distressing effects of low self-esteem. They worry that they are inadequate or worthless; feel insecure about their looks and dissatisfied about their bodies; doubt that they are lovable; secretly believe that they don't deserve success and happiness; harbor fears that they are not bright enough, not talented enough, just not good enough.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. vii
Preface: About This Book	p. xiii
Making the Connections
Making the Connections, Defining the Terms	p. 3
Women and Self-Esteem: Six Common Problems	p. 12
Close to Home, Close to the Heart: Intimate Relationships and the Shaping of Self-Attitudes
Introduction	p. 27
Different Families, Different Fates	p. 28
The Early Years: Essentials of Self-Esteem	p. 38
The Power of Words	p. 57
The Power of Role Models: Like Parent, Like Child	p. 65
The Legacies of Troubled Families	p. 83
Moving On from Our Childhood Families	p. 95
Friends, Lovers and Spouses: The Power of Chosen Intimates	p. 105
Daughters and Motherhood	p. 130
Far from Home, Far from at Home: Women's Experiences in the Wider World
Introduction	p. 153
Religions as Institutions, Spirituality as Experience	p. 160
If Only We Had Learned Differently: The Impact of Formal Schooling	p. 177
Gaining Power in Some Areas, Losing It in Others: The Impact of Government	p. 197
Never Done: Women's Work Experiences	p. 207
Women in a World of Mirrors and Images: The Impact of the Technology of Imagery	p. 227
The Not So Helpful Helping Professions	p. 244
Where It's Hardest to Feel at Home: Women's Experiences in Public	p. 264
The High Costs of Low Self-Esteem
Introduction	p. 283
Can't Get This Out of My Mind: Black Clouds	p. 285
Can't Get This Out of My Mind: Critical Tapes	p. 294
Can't Get This Out of My Mind: Chronic Comparisons to Others	p. 300
Can't Get This Out of My Mind: Expectations of Perfection	p. 307
Can't Get This Out of My Mind: Expectations of Doom	p. 315
Can't Get This Out of My Mind: Inability To Accept a Compliment	p. 322
This Will Make Me Worthy and Whole: The Search for Completion Through Romance, Motherhood and Work	p. 328
From Not Feeling Good About Ourselves to Not Feeling at All: Emotional Expression versus Depression	p. 353
If It Weren't for My Body, I Might Be Okay: Self-Esteem and Body Image	p. 369
Why Is Pleasure So Much Work?: Sexuality and Self-Esteem	p. 386
I'd Rather Be Right than Happy: Self-Fulfilling Prophecies	p. 407
Distract Me from My Dreaded Self: I'd Rather Hate You than Me	p. 415
Epilogue: Self-Esteem and Social Responsibility	p. 422
Notes	p. 427
Index	p. 447
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