A Woman's Place

July 4, 2016
Beaty, Christianity Today's first female managing editor, writes eloquently on the potentially divisive topic of women entering the workforce in increasing numbers, which has transformed traditional conceptions of the place of women within the family unit. Beaty practically notes that all women work, whether caring for the family or earning money; it's simply their surroundings that change. In researching the book, Beaty discovered that most women feel torn between their jobs and family obligations. Citing theologians and Christian thinkers with various opinions about women treating vocational jobs as their callings, Beaty situates her main argument around Sheryl Sandberg's Lean In and considers how Christian women should balance responsibilities toward their families, their faith, and their own career ambitions. The book is written for a narrow audience; the women interviewed "tended to be at least middle class, have a college degree, live in or just outside urban areas, and be white." Readers will be treated to in-depth study from a scriptural perspective as Beaty traces the history of women and work through the ages. Beaty's work is certain to generate lively discussion and some personal soul-searching.