The gendered society /

Kimmel (SUNY Stony Brook) argues that the nature/nurture controversy in explanations of sexual differentiation is shaped by the assumption that men and women are unequivocally different from one another, and that these differences are more important than differences among men or among women. To transcend this assumption he articulates the ways that gender differences are produced by gender inequality, not the reverse. Based on his extensive research on masculinity, Kimmel argues in chapters on violence, family, socialization, sexuality, and work, and in sections on other basic sociological concepts, that because men and masculinity are "invisible" or unmarked categories, most sociological and popular theories of social problems are inadequate. For each of his topics he demonstrates how incorporating attention to masculinity gains both analytic purchase and avenues for positive social change. Although cross-cultural discussion is brief and Kimmel's analysis lacks some of the science and cultural studies resources that might have provided greater depth to his treatment of the variability of sex and gender across time and space, this book is nonetheless a very useful introductory work for undergraduates in sociology, psychology, and gender studies. J. L. Croissant; University of Arizona

Readers curious about what it means to say we live in a gendered society but confused by the trendy mixture of pop psychology, neo-Darwinism, and Mars-Venus theories will value this well-reasoned study. Sociologist Kimmel of State University of New York, Stony Brook, demolishes "fictitious pseudoscientific claims," misunderstandings, and myths, organizing his analysis around difference (how different are men and women) and dominance (how are gender difference and gender inequality related). On difference, Kimmel points out that there is more variation within either gender than between the genders' averages on almost every criterion. As to dominance, he argues that gender inequality causes gender difference (which is then used to justify inequality). This social constructivist study explores historical and cross-cultural explanations of gender; examines how we learn gendered identities within gendered institutions (family, school, work); and considers how gender shapes core emotions (friendship, love, sex, violence). He concludes by exploring how gender convergence--not androgyny--might give both men and women more room to develop their full potential. Mary Carroll

Frustrated at the dearth of materials available for him to assign to students in his courses on the sociology of gender, Kimmel, a sociology professor at State University of New York, Stony Brook, has written an up-to-date survey of the academic literature that should serve his purposes nicely, although this book will be heavy going for anyone for whom it is not assigned reading. His secondary motivation is to counter the "fictitious pseudoscientific claims" of popular writers who preach that men and women are from different planets: "We're not opposite sexes," writes Kimmel, "but neighboring sexes." In chapters that will clearly serve as units on a syllabus, Kimmel (Manhood in America; Changing Men) reviews, from a feminist-friendly perspective, current research on how gender affects biology, sexuality, the family, parenting, marriage, the workplace, the classroom and violence. His thesis that "gender difference is the product of gender inequality, and not the other way around" leads to the conclusion that "the society of the third millennium will increasingly degender traits and behaviors without degendering people." Although Kimmel's emphasis is frequently on the necessity of transforming masculinityÄthe unfinished second half of the gender revolution of the 20th centuryÄhe is scrupulous in maintaining balance and comprehensiveness, discussing the lives of both women and men in a variety of cultural contexts. (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Kimmel (sociology, SUNY at Stony Brook; Manhood in America) critiques beliefs about gender in society. Despite popular thinking on the topic, Kimmel finds great similarities between women and men and reproaches popular writers who claim that "women are from Venus and men are from Mars." He convincingly argues that the differences between men and women are not as vast as those among men or among women, and he proposes that gender differences are the result of gender inequality, not vice versa. Utilizing a social constructionist viewpoint, he further argues that gender difference and gender inequality are not inevitable facets of society; the differences we see result from variables in social position or situation. Kimmel also explores how gender inequality lays the groundwork for presumptions of gender variations, and he considers its effects on our lives. Kimmel, who has an exemplary record in the field of men's studies and gender studies alike, makes a strong case here, conclusively drawing much of his statements from research data without bias or manipulation. What results is a topical treatment well versed in academic research and theoretical analysis. Recommended for larger public and academic gender study collections.DMichael A. Lutes, Univ. of Notre Dame Lib., IN (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.