In Praise of Woman-Psychological,Sociological, and Pastoral Considerations(Volume 2)

IN PRAISE OF WOMAN Volume - Two Discovering one's identity is the most cruciol ospect of life; it is the first step to meoningful life too. This book takes women on the path of realisation of their self, their identity. It takes a holistic and comprehensive look at the oft-repeated debating point that women are not free to be themselves, because they are prisoners of their own conditioning and of other people's expectations of them. The book dissects and differentiates the problems being faced by western and Indian women which are often opposite in nature. Though the western women have never suffered the depths of degradation to which Indian women are subjected, their current legal status is lessthanthatof Indian women. DrFelix Podimattam is one of the best-known moral theologians in India and outside. Besides his full time job as a professor, he finds time to write books at an amazing rate. He has authored 85 books. Besides his Master's degree in Political Science from the University of Mysore, he holds a Licentiate in Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, and subsequently a Doctorate in Moral Theology from the Alphosian Academy, Rome, His post-doctoral studies were pursued in Washington, DC, U.S.A. At Present he is professor of moral theology at St. Francis Theological College, Kottayam, Kerala. CONTENTS INTRODUCTION PART ONE. PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS 1. The Construction of Femininity 2. Female Sexuality: An Overview 3. Psychological Problems of Menstruation 4. Psychological Dimensions of Menopause 5. Differential Psychology 5.1. Physiological Differences 5.2. Psychological Differences 5.2.1. Differences in the Need for Affiliation 5.2.2. Differences in the Fear of Responsibility 5.2.3. Differences in the Attitude to Sex and Love 5.2.4. Differences in Symbolisms 5.2.5. Differences in External Achievement 5.2.6.Differences in Emotionality 5.2.7.Other Differences 5.3. Sexual Differences 5.4. Social Differences 5.5. Differential Psychology of Male and Female Groups 5.6. Differential Developmental Sexual Psychology 5.7. Differential Psychology of Petting 6. Women's Relationships 7. Secrets about Women Husbands Should Know 8. Why Women Give in to Sexual Exploitation 9. Why Older Women are Seeking Younger Men 10. Psychology of Mutual Attraction PART TWO. SOCIOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS 1. Atrocity against Women 1.1. Atrocity against Women: A Brief Sketch 1.1.1. Marital Violence 1.1.2. Feticide and Infanticide 1.1.3. Atrocity against Women by Public Authorities 1.1.4. Eve Teasing 1.1.5. Atrocity against Women in India 1.1.6. Pastoral Reflections 1.2. Causes of Various Atrocities against Women 2. Empowering Women 2.1. Women are Powerless in a Lost World 2.2. A New Awakening amongst Women 2.3. Definition of Women's Empowerment 2.4. Effective Steps to Women's Empowerment 2.4.1. Woman and Woman Relationships 2.4.2. New Opportunities for Women to Promote Life 2.5. Ineffective Measures in regard to Women's Empowerment 2.5.1. Reservation as a Step to Women's Empowerment 2.5.2. Denying Women Night Shift or Emigration Will not Empower Them 2.5.3. Media as an Obstacle to Women's Empowerment PART THREE. PASTORAL CONSIDERATIONS 1. Addressing Women's Concerns 1.1. What Can Women Themselves Do 1.2. What Can Society Do 1.3. What Can the Church Do 1.4. What Can Priests Do 2. Women and Ordination 2.1. Arguments for the Ordination of Women 2.1.1 .Argument from the Bible 2.1.1.1.Hints from the Old Testament 2.1.1.2.No Christian Priests in New Testament Times 2.1.1.3.The Exclusion of Women was not always a Fact of Ecclesial Life 2.1.2. Argument from Post-Biblical Witness 2.1.3. Argument from Tradition 2.1.4. Argument from Magisterium 2.1.4.1.Declaration of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in 1977 2.1.4.2.Apostolic Letter of John Paul II in 1994 2.1.4.3.0rdainability of Women according to Pontifical Biblical Commission 2.1.4.4.Hints from the Episcopal Conference of Canada 2.1.4.5.Recommendation of the Pastoral Council of Netherlands 2.1.4.6.Resolution of the Inter-Diocesan Pastoral Council of Belgium 2.1.5. Argument from Opinion of Theologians 2.1.6. Argument from Acceptance by the Faithful 2.1.7. Argument from Practice of Other Churches 2.1.8. Argument from Practice of Judaism 2.1.9. Argument from Theological Reasons 2.1.9.1.Unjust to Women 2.1.9.2.Smacks of Sexism 2.1.9.3.A Scandal 2.1.9.4.A Sin against the Church 2.1.9.5.Abdication of Responsibility 2.1.9.6.Counter Witness 2.1.9.7.Contra-Sexuality 2.1.9.8.Other Theological Reasons 2.2. Answer to Objections CONCLUSION END NOTES INDEX