Caretakers of our common house

By Carol Lakey Hess

Book Description

In a culture that consistently devalues women and teaches them to diminish themselves for others, many young women struggle to develop their authentic voice and personal strength. Carol Lakey Hess explores a crucial question: can faith communities become spaces where daughters truly flourish, rather than places that perpetuate harmful patterns of self-denial?

Drawing from theological wisdom, psychological insights, and biblical narratives, Hess reveals how traditional teachings about self-sacrifice often undermine women's spiritual and emotional growth. She demonstrates how these messages can prevent women from developing the healthy self-assertion and cognitive independence essential for wholeness. Through compelling examples including literary excerpts and an examination of eating disorders, she illustrates the real-world consequences when caring becomes self-erasure.

Yet this book offers hope and practical direction. Hess envisions faith communities that can genuinely support women's development by honoring both their capacity for connection and their need for individual strength. She calls for educational approaches within religious settings that empower women to become caretakers not only of others, but of themselves and their broader spiritual community.

This thoughtful work challenges churches to examine their practices and embrace their potential to nurture women toward authentic spiritual maturity. For anyone concerned about women's development within faith contexts, Hess provides both critical analysis and constructive vision for transformation.