Wholistic Feminism: Healing the Identity Crisis Caused by the Women's Movement

by Leah A. Jacobson

Have you ever wondered why modern women are so divided, and why feminism doesn't seem to unite us by addressing the core problems we all face?

Do you feel that being a woman these days comes with unrealistic expectations and a side of shame for not doing or being enough?

You are not alone. If…

- you feel overwhelmed by life
- your mind | body | spirit seem to be at war with one another
- your health is taking a backseat to all the things on your to-do list
- your relationships are strained to the max
- you struggle to overcome guilt, shame and/or fear

It is time to find hope through Wholistic Feminism.

In Wholistic Feminism, you will see how the American women's movement has defined success in a way that keeps us striving, yet never fully arriving. You will learn to see female contributions in a new light and realize that you are not inadequate. You, and your female body were never the problem! Author Leah A. Jacobson will help you find common ground and connection with other women so that you can celebrate sisterhood with other women, not competition. In accepting and loving your feminine gifts, you will discover how worthy you are of blazing your own trail and you will be empowered to create a life of meaningful contribution. It is time for the women's movement to be whole.

Genres: Nonfiction, Feminism

190 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2021

Reviews

[Catherine Schue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing outlook on issues women face today without the victim mentality most feminist articles have. This book actually proposes wholesome and logical solutions without pointing fingers.

[Kelsey Kersting · Rating 5 out of 5]

The moment I turned the last page of this book, I instantly wanted to open it back up and start reading again. Leah's main point, that women's bodies have never been the problem, is stated in such beautiful and logical ways throughout this book, and it is beneficial for every person (male or female) to read it. We have been told by the previous waves of feminism that women are victims of a male-dominated society, yet we continue telling women that in order to be truly successful they must suppress those qualities which fully espouse their feminine nature (menstruation, gestation, lactation) to become more like men. Leah's affirmation of women is wholistic, and does NOT say women are failures for being stay-at-home moms, and also does not say that being a stay at home mom is the superior calling. Women who are fully living their feminine genius must be in every sector of society, and we are failing our younger generations of girls and women by not teaching them the glories of their feminine genius.

As a mother who works outside the home it is easy to believe the lie that having children makes me appear "less than" or weak, because of course my children's needs come first. Leah's book affirms ALL women, and gives the necessary words to a thirsty generation of women seeking to understand our place in society.

Please read this book and share it with a friend--you will not regret it!

[Stephanie Marcinkowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book belongs in the hands of every woman and, in turn, their daughters. For "boy moms" like me, it's an important resource and an especially useful guide to help the men of tomorrow become partners in life with the women they will encounter throughout their lifetime.

Leah helps readers understand the history of the women's movements by outlining how and why they began, concessions that helped propel them forward, and the people who worked to make the movements a reality. She outlines fundamental truths about the female body from a physiological, spiritual, and psychological perspective focusing on the interdependence of these aspects to make up the whole person - the whole woman. The book concludes with a call to action that focuses on changing societal standards to include the needs of women in "all areas of commerce, community, and culture."

Wholistic Feminism came to me in October 2021 but, my intuition led me to hold off reading it until now. I was looking for a Women's History Month selection from my own personal library and found this waiting in the wings. This was definitely the right book at the right time!

[Phillip Berry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Jacobson's Catholic lens on feminism and the unique beauty of the female body's role as life bearer. The book gives a great overview of the four waves of feminism, their drivers, flaws, and opportunities. She also unapologetically embraces the beauty and power of the unique feminine gifts of ovulation, gestation, and lactation as opportunities to embrace Divine design rather than secular suppression.

Jacobson does a nice job of minimizing the politics by focusing on the special relationship between the mind, body, and spirit from a uniquely feminine lens. Though she doesn't skirt the ideological issues surrounding modern feminism, Jacobson uses her Catholic perspective to celebrate the feminine genius while giving compelling practical and scientific arguments for new approaches to women's health.

Quick read and great insights for men and women alike.

[Laura Radniecki · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-written, thought provoking read that takes a hard look at many issues facing women today. As a woman and a mother to a daughter, I have been thinking over much of what Leah writes about; it’s significant and challenging. It will probably be a book I read more than once to dig deeper into it. The world would be greatly improved if this book and the subsequent movement would catch like wildfire.

[Lauren Tharpe · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you support the LGBTQ community, this book is not for you. This book explicitly states that the relationship between "mind and body" cannot be separated and basically says that transgender people are living a "lie". I found some good points in the beginning, but then it just dives into the author's personal biases. Oh yeah, she's also pro-life.

[Annmarie Dempsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Just wow. I am so blown away with everything Leah wrote in this book. I honestly want to start it again and read it on repeat. I would recommend this book to everyone, you will not be disappointed.

[Jackalyn Ballard]

Interesting! Gives me a lot to think about in terms of Catholic feminism. Would recommend to friends.

[Lacey Louwagie · Rating 3 out of 5]

My thoughts are too complicated to go into right now, but I hope to pull it together and write a review eventually ...

[Emilie Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very insightful, educational read. Haven't decided how I feel about her opinions on femininity at the end.

[Jen Finke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple and truthful. I think it would make a great companion to “The Anti-Mary Exposed.” A little dry at some points. As a former pro-abortion, atheist, Femi-nazi, I have to say that the grass is greener on this side. This book shows us exactly what we’re up against when we battle for Truth.

[Lacy Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal read. Loved the perspective, history, and call for something better!