Description: The sixth edition of The Gendered Society explores current thinking about gender, both inside academia and in our everyday lives. Michael Kimmel challenges the claim that gender is limited to women's experiences--his compelling and balanced study of gender includes both masculine and feminine perspectives.
Kimmel makes three bold and persuasive statements about gender. First, he demonstrates that gender differences are often extremely exaggerated; in fact, he argues that men and women have much more in common than we think they do. Kimmel also challenges the pop psychologists who suggest that gender difference is the cause of inequality between the sexes; instead, he reveals that the reverse is true-gender inequality itself is the cause of the differences between men and women. Finally, he illustrates that gender is not merely an element of individual identity, but a socially constructed institutional phenomenon.Review Quotes: "The Gendered Society reflects the latest research and teaching philosophies. The book is well written, comprehensive, and makes a very good package with the reader."--Kathryn Keller, Montclair State University
"I like Kimmel's approach-rather than 'differences exist, therefore inequality, ' Kimmel emphasizes the converse-that 'inequalities exist, therefore difference.' This subtle difference highlights the power aspect in a way that other texts do not do. Kimmel is excellent in his introduction of key concepts and terms. He does a great job, stylistically, of presenting material in a manner that is engaging and approachable."--Gregory Maddox, Southern Illinois University Carbondale