Virtual Book Club Discussion Topics:
Chapter One – Taking Inventory
The first chapter focuses on defining what worth is and encourages you to think about what your personal self worth is. How does Dr. Saban define self worth? Discuss in your reading group what it is about yourself that gives you a feeling of worth. What characteristics, personality traits, activities, interests and actions give you a sense of worth and well-being?
What are the contributions that you make in your daily life and do you feel acknowledged for these contributions? Are the relationships that you are a part of fulfilling to you and do you take the time to work at those relationships?
Chapter Two – Basic Training: Sorting Out the Mixed Messages
Discuss how you were raised. What are the assumptions that you were taught about what it means to be a woman? In what ways are women socialized to fit the mold of gender roles? How do these assumptions affect the ways that you participate in world?
What are ways that you can counteract the negative assumptions that are made about being a woman in your daily life? Do you see yourself taking action to make your voice heard?
Chapter Three – Self-Esteem: Finding Your Strength
What is self-esteem? What are the influences in your life that detract from your self-esteem? How do you view your personal achievements, do you tend to downplay them or do you value them more than your personal characteristics?
What are the ways to build and reinforce a strong character, and what steps will you take to strengthen your self-esteem?
Chapter Four – Creativity: Living Life Artfully
How would you define artful living? How do you practice artful living in your life, what are the creative activities that you are already involved in? What are some ways that you can further explore your creativity?
Chapter Five – Assert Yourself: Taking Charge of Your Narrative
What is personal power and how do you understand your own personal power? Do you keep your personal power hidden? What are ways that you can harness and assert your personal power in your life?
Chapter Six – Sex Love and Intimacy: Understanding and Enjoying Your Sexuality
What are the societal views that govern how we think about women and sex? How do those views affect your relationships? How do you create a safe space in which to explore your sexuality? What are ways that you attract love and maintain a healthy relationship?
Chapter Seven – Marriage: Making It Work for You
What are the some of cultural and social constructs, rituals customs that define marriage? What do you think couples need to create and sustain a successful marriage? What does society tell us about divorce and what are some methods and techniques for dealing with this type of separation?
Chapter Eight – Motherhood: Defining the Role of a Lifetime
How do you define a mothers worth? What are the tools and resources it takes to raise children effectively? What are the important aspects of family planning and how do they lead to successful parenting? How do you stay healthy and take time for yourself while balancing your children’s needs? How does being a mother contribute to your sense of self-worth?
Chapter Nine – Finances and Freedom: Working for Independence
What are the messages that you received growing up about women and work and how have they contributed to how you view the work you do? What is the importance of financial freedom? How can you take control of your finances and plan for the future?
Chapter Ten – Health and Happiness: Choosing the High Road of Harmony
Do you consider yourself to be a happy person? What does your happiness depend on (for example: personal fulfillment, success, other people’s opinion)? How does your outlook on life affect your general mood and how can you change your outlook? What are the benefits of being happy?
Chapter Eleven – Celebrate Yourself: Acceptance and Appreciation
Do you celebrate yourself by acknowledging your full potential? What are ways that you can appreciate yourself and what are the potential outcomes of that self-appreciation? In what ways does caring for yourself benefit the people around you and society as a whole?
Chapter Twelve – Creating the Life You Want: Living the Life you Create
Are you living a life that you want or do you feel like you have settled into a life that you are unhappy with? Who or what are the connections in your life that could be opportunities for you? How can you be a connection and opportunity for other women? What are your priorities and passions in life and do they match they path your life is on and if not what are ways that you can create and live a life you want?
Chapter Thirteen – Mentoring the Future: Sharing What You Know
Where do you see inequality and need in the world? In what ways can you be an example for future generations and contribute to changing the attitudes around inequality? Civic engagement goes beyond voting and volunteering, in what ways that can impact and influence your community?
Chapter Fourteen – Giving Back: Recognizing Your Truth and Passing It On
What are the joys of giving and how does it contribute to your personal sense or worth? How is having an ethic of service important and how can you pass that along to your family? How do you find a balance between your abilities and desire to help and the needs of the community? What will you do to go out and help in your community?
Go to the websites for more information on What is Your Self [1] Worth or Dr. Cheryl Saban [2].
