Om genus

Short Introductions

by Raewyn W. Connell

I denna bok ger Raewyn Connell en översikt över och introduktion till genusforskningens centrala frågeställningar. Den utgår från att genus är en nyckeldimension i vårt privatliv, våra sociala relationer och vår kultur. I denna livsdimension ställs vi inför svåra praktiska problem som berör vår identitet, våra möjligheter till en rättvis behandling och till och med vår överlevnad.
Boken presenterar viktiga exempel från genusforskningen, beskriver de huvudsakliga resultaten av olika forskningsprojekt och lägger fram en karta över debatter och åsikter. Samtidigt försöker den skissera ett analytiskt ramverk för genusstudier.

Denna andra upplaga är en utvidgad och omarbetad version av den första upplagan från 2003.

Raewyn Connell är Professor of Education vid universitetet i Sidney.

Genres: Feminism, Nonfiction, Sociology, Gender, Gender Studies, School, LGBT

220 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Raewyn Connell (also known as R.W. Connell and Robert W. Connell) is an Australian sociologist. She gained prominence as an intellectual of the Australian New Left. She is currently Professor Emeritus at the University of Sydney and known for the concept of hegemonic masculinity and southern theory.

Reviews

[Isadora Paiva · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid review of feminist literature in a surprisingly global perspective. I discovered a lot of names from all over the world that I did not know (including my own country, Brazil!). The book is very well organized and covers a range of topics from the most intimate to the most global (and the intersecting nature of those categories).

The one criticism I have is that there is almost no mention of war. When you are talking about global issues and gender, this feels like a mandatory issue to discuss at length. Maybe I'm biased because this is the area I'm most interested in, but it is one of the most gendered activities in the world, and one that creates gender in a lot of ways.

[Veronika Valkovicova · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful introduction to gender studies for anyone in humanities and social sciences.

[Lovisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

ja, jag tänker börja räkna in min kurslitteratur i böckerna jag läst i år… aja, boken var bra men väldigt komplicerad och många nya termer. tbh en ganska dålig bok att läsa som första bok i en grundkurs, men men. rekommenderar den ändå starkt!

[Ana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book for a class. In some ways, it gives a good discussion on what gender is and how it is socially created, as well as the various ways that gender can have an impact on peoples' lives. I still don't understand why Chapter 2 was included - it is about gender-based research studies and comes before the reader really understands gender. It is also unlikely that anyone who isn't interested in academic research would find value in this chapter. As a "Short Introduction" to gender, this book seems to be marketed to someone with some interest in gender but not necessarily an academic. If I were a layperson I would put this book down and never touch it again in Chapter 2. It would work better as an addendum at the end.

I do like how gender is framed as not just the study of women but all gender perspectives from various male perspectives to various female perspectives as well as those between, within, and without that unnecessary dichotomy.

I do not like the strong basis in Freudian concepts and theories. I would be interested to read alternate explanations for apparent gender differences that are not grounded in Freud, especially as I really cannot fathom how widely applicable these complexes are given the number of people who do not fit their sex, who grow up in single parent households, and all the other different possibilities that don't fit with these theories.

There are some good qualities and some bad qualities. If you're looking for a book on basic gender theory, this is not bad. Skip Chapter 2. If you have a bit more background in the area than I do, I'd love suggestions!

[Hanna Konnebäck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mycket bra övergripande verk om genusforskning och dess utmaningar

[Hellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very comprehensive introductory book about gender questions. Perhaps a bit too comprehensive. While structured in chapters such as gender in our private lives and gender in the big scope, the chapters felt a bit too broad and unorganized. The reference list is a true treasure chest, but for the focus of the read it could've done with less. It became especially bothersome because every single reference was introduced extensively. I don't think this was necessary.

New for me was the world perspective. I read the Swedish translation in which the "in world perspective" part of the original title is left out, so it was a bit of a surprise. It's very important to see how international politics fit in and a lot can be learned from looking outside of one's country (especially when suffering from eurocentrism).

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is exactly what I want from a women's studies text. Connell and and Pearse do an awesome job of making a point clear and providing enough information in each chapter. There are an amazing amount of examples and citations to other texts and a lot of summaries that it made me curious enough to add a lot of the books mentioned to my to - read list. What's even better is that the books made perfect explanation to theories talked about. Each chapter is different, and if you enjoyed one more than the others, you can go into the referenced book and read further into the topic. Very good textbook

[Shima · Rating 4 out of 5]

نويسنده ى اين كتاب، ريوين كانل، مرد بود و پس از تغيير جنسيت الان يك زن حساب مى شه. ديدگاهش درباره ى جنسيت جالبه. مخصوصا كه اين دو روز اخير انقدر بحث روز دختر در جامعه ى ايرانى داغه!

[Guilherme Smee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Da mesma forma que aconteceu quando resenhei o outro livro da mesma editora, e da mesma autora, Raewyn Connell, a grande impressão que dá é que esses livros são enormes, grandes apanhados históricos de diversas teorias de gênero por temas. O texto não parece trazer nada de novo, apenas tentar criar um diálogo entre obras de outros teóricos, transformando a publicação numa grande, enorme, parte de um estudo que só leva em conta o "estado da arte", ou ainda, que faz um extenso, mas nada profundo, "revisão do tema". Esse que é o problema do livro: não aprofundar e nem discutir nada além do que os demais pesquisadores já atestaram. O livro anterior era ainda pior, com um texto complicado e imbricado de difícil acesso. Este livro com a adição de Rebecca Pearce, como coautora, parece que o texto ganhou um pouco mais de interesse -já que a tradução dos dois é da mesma pessoa, Marília Moschkovich -, e em algumas partes têm-se menos a sensação de que se trata apenas de uma revisão temática do assunto gênero e seus entornos. Mas isso não significa que o livro seja de se botar fora. Ele serve como um bom guia para esses assuntos. Contudo, deveria ter sido formatado e vendido como tal.

[Tara Brabazon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding book. Connell has a profound, edgy, provocative and considered writing style, drawing the reader into the prose.

The arguments are open, welcoming and provide specific and careful attention to class and work. It is a book that does not settle on 'Western' models. Welcoming and understanding differences remains the central task and focus.

Arguments about gender are vexed. But the openness to historical and geographical differences creates the foundation for future research.

A well research and written book.

[bowiesbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did actually have to read this for a gender studies course at uni but it’s definitely along the lines of non-fiction books that I’d like to pick up and read anyways. It’s way more educational and uses less accessible language than other books about gender that I’ve read, but I ended up learning a lot more. There was a lot of ‘ah-ha’ moments and sentences that I underlined, which is always a good sign. I like how Connell linked gender to sexuality and politics to highlights the different dimensions, complexities and aspects of it. I found it really interesting and insightful overall.

[anniken · Rating 5 out of 5]

omg what a blast!!! soo interesting, enlightening different perspectives and with ethnographic descriptions from around the world. including historical reforms and revolutions and seeing gender from different ideologies, while always being able to connect it to the material and practical conditions of marginalized people globally. very easy to conceptualize and understand while also bringing in a certain depth and empathy. lovely<333

[Jupiter ジュピター · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started reading this book with a simple and partial grasp of what gender and its issues were, how in popular media is depicted almost as mere fight against patriarchy and men.
I was pleasantly surprised that this book explains how our (western) concept of dichotomous gender and every prejudices and stereotypes built on it negatively affects each and every one of us, men and women alike.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Connell's work primarily focuses on gender issues in the global South, and this 4th edition of her book challenges us to look beyond gender struggles in Eurocentric nations. She challenges us to reconsider our conception of gender, introduces the reader to feminist theorists from other nations, and presents ways of thinking about gender and sex relationships in multiple contexts. Excellent.

[Cayley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A surprisingly thorough and global look at gender and its construction. Some wonderful chapters and some that are disorganized or strangely placed. I appreciated the 2021 updates which kept this book fresh since it was originally published in 2014. Required reading for a course - I'm not sure I would sit through it otherwise.

[Naysilla Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

baca buku ini karena kelaaasss!!! dan harus presentasi pakai buku ini (damn)

cukup sederhana dan mudah dipahami. menyenangkan karena banyak memuat southern perspectives. tapi sayang waktunya cuma dibatasi seminggu kurang (krn sisanya harus siapin ppt) jadi kurang marem baca bukunya.

my first book that i have finished on my master's degree.
bismillah buat buku-buku selanjutnya!

[Samantha Knapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Refreshing

This is the only gender studies book I've read that actually addresses more than just the US and UK in a meaningful way. It is also very well written. I learned a lot from this book and absolutely recommend it to everyone.

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Difícil entender a organização dos assuntos abordados, mas é excelente para saber quais são as principais tendências de estudos em gênero no mundo todo.

[meri · Rating 4 out of 5]

the first book for studies i have read thorougly enough to add here... interesting, liked this very much, a very global review in feminist literature and research i am content

[Vitória Bredoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Programa de Estudos de Gênero por Marília Moscou :)

[Olivia · Rating 2 out of 5]

1,5 (var tvingad att läsa den i skolan)

[Cyblogs]

Connell and Pearse's Gender is a concise and comprehensive introduction to the concept of gender and its practical implications. The authors are inclusive and do not fail to mention perspective from feminist scholars from around the world, throughout different periods of history.

The authors begin with examples of gender in everyday culture, special events and statistics on the gender pay gap, before moving onto case studies on gender from 5 continents, some historical studies. These studies are useful as they support and help the reader realise Connell's various arguments. One case study illustrates that gender has been changing and not fixed throughout different periods of history, for example Mpondo migrant workers in South Africa, definition of "manhood" was once associated with being wise and running a self-sufficient household, which meant women could attain "manhood", however later economic and historical developments influenced the definition to become physical aggression and toughness.

Next the Connell covers topics such as the relationship between body and gender, a brief history of gender theory, the multiple dimensions of gender and their interaction, and the process in which gender develops within a person, before proceeding to discuss how gender relates to global issues, such as the environment, global power structures and the economy. Connell is a great debater and she takes you from one theory to the next, with energy and strong criticism, before moving on to her proposed theory or solution.

Finally, Connell and Pearse's Gender is a summary. And as a summary, it benefits from being concise and giving a comprehensive overview of a wide-range of topics and a wide range of perspectives, which makes it a great introduction. As a summary it also suffers from being too concise at times and failing to explain certain concepts clearly (especially post-modern or economic concepts, which an ordinary reader may not be familiar with, which can lead to confusion) or moving on without a definite conclusion, at times. However, the comprehensiveness and diversity of the work allows for the work's sometimes laconic nature to be forgiven and overlooked, especially if you are willing to spend a few minutes researching those terms.

The broad but also academic approach would make this useful for students interested in reading academically about gender, but also anyone with an interest in gender.

Extra: there are plenty of summaries and shout-outs to other authors and their great works included in gender, which would probably make a great reading list on gender and gender theory, if that's your cup of tea!

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

After teaching my first women & gender studies course, "The Psychology of Women," it became apparent that I lacked an academic perspective on gender issues. Connell's text was a helpful introduction, and I was greatly relieved that I "know" most of the information discussed due to living in the world and being curious. As a woman greatly lacking in conventional feminine qualities and interests, it's amusing to me that the notion of a "gender continuum" is now reaching the mainstream, in great part due to the greater presence and acceptance of transgendered persons. It's encouraging to me that many males are challenging conventional masculinity by insisting on democratic relationships, being more involved and nurturing parents, and speaking out against violence and abuse.

[Meagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most impressive thing about this book is that is truly does include perspectives from all over the world. I'd never thought about how Eurocentric gender theory (and just prominent sociological theory in general) is. This book makes every effort to include findings from researchers all over the world, not just Europe and North America.

[C Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well researched. Dense. Connell is brilliant, but I'm not sure this is great for the person who hasn't read a lot of scholarly work on gender.

[Elise Dahlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Urforskar många teman och ger en hyfsat bra överblick. Dock lite väl teoretiskt språk på sina håll för någon som inte är insatt.