ABSTRACT
Taking a woman-centered approach, Mixed Blessings analyzes the effect of religious fundamentalism on gender roles in a variety of religions and nations. It explains how some women benefit from fundamentalism, gaining economic power and autonomy, and portrays how others maneuver within its restrictions.
The scope of the book is broad, ranging from Christian groups in North and South America, Islamic groups in the Middle East and China, Jews in Israel, Hindus in India, and Buddhists in Sri Lanka. The detailed descriptions of women's lives illustrate the complexity of the intersection of gender and fundamentalism. The impact of fundamentalism for some women has been beneficial and has lead to greater economic power and autonomy. In other areas women must maneuver within the constraints of fundamentalism to gain power and autonomy.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part One|48 pages
Women Benefit from Fundamentalism
chapter Chapter 1|14 pages
The Peace That Passes All Understanding
chapter Chapter 2|15 pages
Buddhist Nuns
part Two|140 pages
Women Struggle Against Fundamentalism's Restrictions
chapter Chapter 4|13 pages
Voices from the Margins
chapter Chapter 5|18 pages
A Separate Unity
chapter Chapter 9|20 pages
Giving Birth to a Settlement
chapter Chapter 10|18 pages
A Mixed Blessing
part Three|60 pages
Women Oppressed by Fundamentalism