Description
Book SynopsisIn the last thirty years, there has been a tremendous growth in the academic inquiry to understand men in their experiences as men. This growth is largely due to growing awareness of the problems that people face in trying to understand what it means to be masculine. This text introduces students to the research, theories, and basic issues in the field of Men and Masculinities, highlighting debates about the definition, origin, and the crisis in masculinity. The author provides a framework for studying the field of masculinities incorporating feminist, social constructionist, and interdisciplinary perspectives. Written in an accessible style, An Introduction to Masculinities provides personal anecdotes and contemporary examples to make the theoretical concepts relevant to students' lives. The text also introduces students to leading contributors and experts whose work have informed the field. The author gives the reader a context and structure by which they can critically understand a
Trade Review"As a result, this book is more than an introduction to the field; it is a warm invitation to anyone wishing to
explore it." (Zentralblatt Math, 23 January 2010)
"In sum, I found this text to be a highly valuable, nuanced, and comprehensive addition to the men's studies literature, taking its place alongside the previous works of Doyle (3994) and Kilmartin (2007), as well as the narrower psychological analysis of masculinity by Levant and Pollack (1995). I highly recommend it for all readers, particularly those seeking a work embedded with feminist and social constructionist perspectives." (Psychology of Women Quarterly, August 2010)
"This book has many strengths and it fulfils its aim of being a useful introductory text." (Notre Dame European Journal of Women's Studies, 2010)
"The book is definitely a very open discussion and presentation of the field, urging the reader to question all aspects of research. For that reason alone I found it a very useful introduction to research into any discipline - I don't think this book should stop at being recommended to students wishing to explore the theme of masculinities, it would form a good basis into any social sciences research." (Psych-Talk, September 2010)
"Our much-needed and long overdue textbook has arrived. ... This book is more than an introduction to the field; it is a warm invitation to anyone wishing to explore it." (Sex Roles, January 2010)
"[A] timely and a welcome addition for those undergraduate courses that aim to begin a discussion about masculinities. … An excellent option for introductory courses within women's studies, men's studies, psychology, sociology, humanities, and special topics courses. It is thus a welcome tool to those of us who are dedicated to nurturing this fledgling field." (PsycCRITIQUES, January 2010)
"Kahn engagingly introduces biological, psychological and constructionist approaches to different understandings of masculinity, juxtaposing the different perspectives in ways that promote critical thinking." (Psychologist, December 2009)
Table of ContentsPreface xi
Acknowledgments xvii
1 Overview 1
2 Social Context and Masculinities 21
3 Difficulties of Definitions and Masculinity as a Social Construct 47
4 Psychological and Interactive Models of Masculinity 73
5 Origins and Locations of Masculinities: Social Models 95
6 Origins and Locations of Masculinities: Psychological Models 117
7 Origins and Locations of Masculinities: Interactive and Social Constructionist Models 141
8 Men in Crisis 165
9 The Crisis in Masculinity: Essentialist Perspective 193
10 The Crisis in Masculinity: Psychosocial Perspective 209
11 The Crisis in Masculinity: Social Constructionist Perspective 231
12 Putting it All Together: Next Steps for Masculinities 261
Masculinities Terms 269
References 297
Author Index 367
Subject Index 385
