Rediscovering Masculinity: Reason, Language and Sexuality

by Victor J. Seidler

Men have responded to feminism with feelings of anxiety, guilt and unease. It has taken time for men to consider ways of changing themselves rather than hiding behind feminist rhetoric.

Genres: Feminism, Gender, Nonfiction, Gender Studies

Paperback

First published July 6, 1989

Reviews

[Luke · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is so close to being good, but has some poor structural choices. There are several interesting books that the author is convinced must be told in parallel, but in reality would each be stronger as a separate work. There is a dense theory book about reason, language, and logic and how they relate to masculinity. There is a (rather sloppy) book about psychoanalysis and therapy and how they can help men get in touch with the parts of themselves alienated by their attempt to dominate themselves and others. And finally, there is a somewhat autobiographical/historiographical survey of the 50s on, drawing heavily on the author's experience and a kind of sociological cultural analysis.

Because all of these topics are present, the tone of the book is an uneasy compromise between them, and it damages the readability and rigor of the book. The theory sections feel imprecise and sloppy, the psychoanalytic section feels too restrained by the theory section, and the autobiographical sections seem too alienated from the author's personal experience. The author seems aware of these tensions, and constantly makes moves to justify the intertwining of these perspectives. None of them are especially convincing.

So close, yet so far. 2/5

[Jalen · Rating 3 out of 5]

too wordy and academic & more philosophical than practical but i think a good starting place for thinking critically about where modern notions of masculinity come from for reader to think abt fixing

[Chuk's Book Reviews · Rating 1 out of 5]

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Feelings about the book:
- This wasn't it - I like to read books on men and masculinity to see if anyone ever hits the nail on the head. The author didn't.

Premise/Plot:
- With the usual Marxist, Freudian discussions about men, Seidler examines how traditional models of manhood need to be redeveloped. Mainly due to its restrictive nature, lack of emotional expression and more.

Themes:
- Masculinity, identity, reason vs. emotion, gender norms, intimacy, patriarchy and more

Pros:
- Hmm, none really. There are some good quotes though

Cons:
- Repetitive and not very helpful at all

- Ironically, Seidler represents the lack

Quotes:
‘It is as if we only exist in our decisions, constantly judging and validating ourselves according to the correctness of the decisions we have made.’

‘If we live in a ‘man’s world’, it is not a world that has been built upon the needs and nourishment of men. Rather, it is a social world of power and subordination in which men have been forced to compete if they are to benefit from their inherited masculinity.’

‘Within a Kantian tradition it is only reason that is reliable and constant. It is only reason that can be trusted to offer genuine moral knowledge.’

‘Modern forms of masculinity carry the deep influence of the Protestant ethic and capitalist work relations.’

‘But reason is essentially impersonal. The more our sense of self is identified with reason, the more we are in a process as men of impersonalising ourselves.’

‘Oppressed people are constantly trying to make language their own, as they attempt to discover and redefine their experience.’

‘Caught up in the competitive world of work, men can experience any kind of demand from their partners as a kind of betrayal.’

‘We can feel that we are owed the support of our partners so we can compete against other men.’

[Salahuddin Hourani]

ملاحظة لي - لم اقرا الكتاب بعد

analysis of patriarchy and its imposed masculinity concepts