On Eve and Lilith: Jewish Women, Stereotypic Jewish Attitudes, and Self-Actualization
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Authors
Schlesinger, Sheila M.
Issue Date
1985
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
From personal experience I formulate the hypothesis that self-actualization in Jewish women (satisfaction and achievement in the areas of home, family, and educational and professional goals) is negatively correlated with what I term "stereotypic Jewish attitudes," operationally defined as the importance of the homemaker role, and the experience of guilt and vicarious living. I suggest that the historical pattern of the Jewish woman has been to care for others at the expense of her self-fulfillment. My hypothesis was tested by a questionnaire completed by 40 women and by conducting six one-hour interviews. When the data was plotted, no definite correlation was found, although the difference in the mean of the scores indicated some presence of stereotypical Jewish attitudes. I attribute the lack of a clear negative correlation to the presence of positive stereotypic Jewish attitudes, which are conducive to self-actualization. The idea of "the hungry Jewish mother" and metaphors of nurturance and hunger are used to conceptualize the thesis topic in conjunction with the results of this study. I conclude that Jewish women today are attempting to synthesize the old and the new, retaining those stereotypical Jewish attitudes that enhance self-actualization. Further research on this topic is recommended.