Date Approved
2006
Degree Type
Open Access Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department or School
Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminology
Committee Member
Robert Orrange, PhD, Chair
Committee Member
Paul Leighton, PhD
Abstract
To discover the compatibility of traditional Christianity and mainstream feminism, a content analysis was performed on confirmed sources of doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Through systematic reading and identifying themes of God and the Bible, gender role separation, patriarchy, or domestic violence, an analysis of pertinent feminist criticisms was performed. Latter-day Saint doctrine of family includes the following statements: (1) there is a Heavenly Mother as a divine partner to Heavenly Father, (2) the Bible contains errors regarding respect toward women, (3) women need to be active in education, home, and community, (4) men should honor wives and children, (5) all humans are children of God with no one being treated subordinately, and (6) abuse is never appropriate or justified. Although these doctrines do not perfectly align with feminist thought, they can be practically applied by social workers helping women of the Latter-day Saint faith.
Recommended Citation
Seidel, Amber Jean, "Family in the Church Latter-day Saint doctrine regarding family and gender" (2006). Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations. 90.
https://commons.emich.edu/theses/90