The Gendered Society Reader - Softcover

A strength of the Kimmel reader is the balanced examination of both genders and sexes. Many other readers focus predominantly on masculinities/males or femininities/females, which makes them inappropriate for a sociology of gender course. Another strength is the preface before each part of the reader. Kimmel provides a 'map' to help students through each chapter. (Debbie Storrs, University of Idaho)

I like the changes from the previous edition. 'The Gendered Media' is a new section entirely, and it makes sense. These new media readings will be of interest to students, which will in turn generate good class discussion. (Gail Murphy-Geiss, Colorado College)

The battle between the sexes has raged on for centuries, but are men and women really from different planets? In The Gendered Society Reader, Third Edition, coeditors Michael S. Kimmel and Amy Aronson pull together an array of dynamic voices―both male and female, classic and contemporary―to examine various interpretations of gender. These lively, in-depth readings explore gender discourse over a wide range of disciplines, focusing primarily on two central issues: difference and domination. Carefully balanced to reflect the diversity of its subject, this text addresses provocative and fundamental questions including:

* How are males and females different?
* What do these differences mean?
* How do various cultures interpret gender?
* Why do societies continue to differentiate people on the basis of gender?
* Why is it that almost every known society is based on male domination?

The reader mirrors the intuitive structure of Kimmel's companion volume, The Gendered Society, Third Edition. The first sections are arranged by discipline, presenting classic statements on theoretical perspectives and research inquiries. The final sections examine the often fraught relationships between gender and education, the workplace, the body, the family, love, and sex. The celebrated contributors include Margaret Mead, Peggy Reeves Sanday, Joan Acker, Judith Lorber, Robert M. Sapolsky, Scott Coltrane, and many more.

Thoughtfully updated with rich and timely new material, the third edition also introduces a vibrant section on the media, which features incisive explorations of video games and pornography. A popular and now classic text, The Gendered Society Reader is both informative and entertaining; it is required reading for students, scholars, and anyone curious about the fascinating study of gender.