Review by Choice Review
In this revision of her doctoral dissertation, Kieser (ethics and theology, St. Joseph's College, Univ. of Alberta, Canada) offers a feminist alternative to official Catholic teachings on sexual ethics as they apply especially to adolescent girls. Drawing from her experience as a woman, psychological counselor, and theologian, Kaiser seeks to determine, as she writes in her introduction, "what facilitates adolescent female [embodied] flourishing in the light of Christian faith." She discusses Aquinas, contemporary natural law proponents, and feminist theorists and ethicists, and appropriates the insights of theologian Cristina Traina's feminist natural law. Kieser considers how contemporary Christian body theologies, including that of John Paul II, fail to consider female perspectives. Her discussion of psychological and physical development of adolescent females gives special focus to menarche and menstruation. She identifies many factors that impede a healthy adolescent female sexuality and proposes a theology of sexuality grounded in feminist natural law--a theology she considers appropriate to adolescent female flourishing. Though Kieser's suggestions and conclusions directly conflict with official Catholic teachings, she provides an important critique of Catholic premises that ignore women's experience, sexuality, and desires. A valuable resource for those interested in Catholicism, religion in general, and feminist studies. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty. --Regina A. Boisclair, Alaska Pacific University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
