First published 2023
Women deny themselves rest to avoid appearing lazy. They skip meals to resist gluttony. They refuse to negotiate salaries to avoid seeming greedy. Journalist Elise Loehnen argues that these behaviors stem from ancient religious codes that still govern modern women. The Seven Deadly Sins, established by the Christian church in the fourth century, continue to restrict women in subtle ways. Pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth remain powerful forces that teach women to prioritize others over themselves. Loehnen traces how these moral frameworks contribute to problems like the 55 percent gender wealth gap and chronic self-denial. She combines cultural analysis with historical research to show how women have absorbed patriarchal rules without realizing it. The book offers practical wisdom from various spiritual traditions to help women recognize these patterns and break free from them.
Genres: gender-studies, feminism, social-issues, non-fiction, 21st-century, academic
Vibes: informative, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: cultural-analysis, historical-research
Period: 4th Century, Modern
384 pages · Hardcover · The Dial Press