The Gendered Society

by Mark P.O. Morford, Amy Aronson (Editor)

Thoroughly updated and revised, the second edition of The Gendered Society explores current thinking about gender, both inside academia and in our everyday lives. Part I examines the latest work in biology, anthropology, psychology, and sociology; Part II provides an original analysis of the
gendered worlds of family, education, and work; and Part III focuses on the gendered interactions of friendship and love, sexuality, and violence. As a result of his research, author Michael S. Kimmel makes three claims about gender. First, he argues that the differences between men and women are
not as great as we often imagine, and that in fact women and men have far more in common with one another than we think they do. Second, he challenges the notions of the many pop psychologists who suggest that gender difference is the cause of the dramatic observable inequality between the sexes.
Instead, Kimmel reveals that the reverse is gender inequality is the cause of the differences between women and men. Third, he argues that gender is not simply an aspect of individual identity but is also an institutional phenomenon, embedded in the organizations and institutions in which we
interact daily. Kimmel concludes with a brief epilogue looking ahead to gender relations in the new century. The second edition includes a new chapter, "The Gendered Body," and a sharper critique of biological differences. The Gendered Society, 2/e , is a well-reasoned, authoritative, and keenly
animated statement about contemporary gender relations, written by one of the country's foremost thinkers on the subject. It is an essential text for both scholars and students alike. Kimmel's companion book, The Gendered Society Reader, 2/e , (OUP, 2003), provides a perfect complement for classroom
use.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sociology, Gender, Feminism, Gender Studies, Textbooks, Psychology

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 20, 2000

Reviews

[Christoph · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay introduction to the topic of gender and society. Kimmel is especially good in showing how (cis)masculinity is not neutral and also gendered. He also debunks a lot of stereotypes and conservative, antifeminist arguments with evidence from empirical, sociological studies.
The book unfortunately sticks to a gender binary. Gay and lesbian masculinities/femininities are discussed, but trans* issues and examples are almost completely ignored. Written in 2000, the book and described examples, theories also feel slightly outdated at times.

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was obviously written to be a textbook for a 200-level sociology class, and as such it is very accessible (for scholarly writing) and also very broad in scope. Still, it's a delight to finally read a pro-feminist work on gender that treats men and masculinity as something as worthy of investigation as women and femininity. I'm really excited to read some of Kimmel's work that focuses more on masculinity specifically.

[Brittany Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is possibly the most important book I've ever read. It completely changed the way I think about gender and the way our society views gender norms. I highly recommend it to everyone; it will make you think about things in a totally different way.

[Greg Stoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got sent a copy of this book because it uses a version of my same-sex marriage map, so when I got it I flipped through to find it and then set it aside. David read through it and liked it a lot, so I decided to give it a read through, and it's really quite good!

The author's main points are:
- gender differences are quite exaggerated - there's much more variability inside a gender than between them. (think of two bell curves with slightly different means, or something like that)
- It sure seems like gender inequality is the cause of (and not a result of!) the differences between genders.

The book can be a bit depressing because people are terrible, but it's a good look at what gender means, and it opened my eyes into how much society constructs and enforces gender roles. And gender roles make me angry!

[Brian's Book Blog · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish this had been less wordy. The author is great, an expert in the field of gender, but man does he use 50 words when 20 could do.

He also has a habit of telling 2 pages worth of data, just to follow it with, but that's now how things are now.

All-in-all it is probably one of the better books I have read for a college course, but still it's a college text book.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

My only problem with this book is that it only shows American context. Witch is understandable, since this is the context it was written for, but for European (Polish specificly) people things look slightly different sometimes.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used this textbook for my 300 level Sociology of Gender class. I thought it was excellent. But beware! The chapters start off with an explanation of theories that are later critiqued, but many of my students missed the critique and thought that those theories were the point of the chapter.

[Lucas De Lellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is incredibly US-centric but I have still appreciated reading it. Learnt a lot.

[Violet · Rating 2 out of 5]

As an observation of the state-of-gender, this work is solid. Stats and figures are cited heavily in an effort to show that American men and women are socialized to navigate the world in vastly different ways. I was unimpressed with the analysis of LG(BTQIA+) persons and found that many quotations were weak or reified the stereotypes the work attempts to critique. Kimmel- albeit unintentionally- proves that gender is an unstable framework. Our communities need only to push against assumed ways of being (gender roles/expectations) if they wish to bring equity to all.

[Mocha · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's an okay introductory book for gender studies. I only read it for a class, and if I were to be honest, a lot of the information is horribly outdated now. Especially information pertaining to the LGBTQ+ community. As a whole, it is interesting to read and acknowledge how far we've come but also a little depressing (as I am reading during 315 anti-trans bills being proposed and after overturning of roe v wade). Anyway, it's okay. It's not great, just okay.

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intersting book on gender differences that may or may not exist. The writing style is clear and concise, not at all overly scientific, even when discussing various studies. The examples for the hypotheses are often interesting, but sometimes just a little too long and detailed; this is distracting in some chapters, e.g. because you forget what point the author really wanted to make when discussing countless sexual practices in different cultures.

Overall, definitely recommendable to everyone who wants to look behind all the 'masculine/feminine mystique' of our culture.

[Carlos · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was simply amazing and would suggest it as required reading for everyone who thinks that sexism is a thing of the past. It was incredibly eye opening (even for a so-called feminist) to all aspects in which one fails to see the destructive influence of sexism. It brought all points of view and raised issues that I didn't even know existed. Definitely a must read for anyone.

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kimmel is cute and got me all excited about gender and stuff.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned a lot from this book, and it opened my eyes to many gender issues that I'd never considered before.

[Grant]

This is a book for a Sociology class I'm taking this semester. I'll post on it soon.

[Jonathan]

None

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, balanced. Unique perspective about gender inequality *causing* gender differences instead of vice versa.

[Anne Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Certainly one of the more interesting gender studies texts, and a great rounding out of the field by the heightened awareness of masculinity studies.

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was for a class but it was actually intriguing.

[Hallie Huffman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Better as it progressed. Slow starter, since the beginning felt overly technical.

[Aimee Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites!

[Peter Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kimmel again asks the right questions, ones that should change the way we think about gender and related social constructs.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should read this book! Enlightening!

[alexander shay · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rated up for having an awesome instructor
READ FOR SOCI 301

I know it's technically cheating to rate a book by who presents it since it has nothing to do with the content, but given that textbooks are meant to be used for classes, how a teacher presents such a book and why they chose it is sort of part and parcel.
There are 13 chapters to this book, each with a different focus. Many of the statistics are interesting, and I appreciate this book especially because it's a Canadian version with Canadian statistics included, so it holds a more relevant societal viewpoint for where I live than the American version would. It also explores various theoretical frameworks and positions while at the same time arguing for its own: that gender is socially constructed, not purely biological with inherent, unchangeable differences. It makes you more aware of the views you hold about your own gender and the opposite gender, and how much you take for granted that is actually due to socialization and not men vs women.
Rated down for not including more on LGBT topics, particularly transgender, when even the statistics in these groups they did include are terrifying when it comes to violence and social acceptance. Also for not including anything about agender or genderfluidity (focusing completely on the gender binary), or asexuality in the sexualities chapter.