Men Confront Pornography

by Michael S. Kimmel (Editor)

Forty male contributors consider how pornography affects their lives, sexuality, politics, and relationship with and views of women

Genres: Feminism, Gender, Nonfiction

340 pages, Hardcover

First published March 10, 1990

About the author

Michael Scott Kimmel is an American sociologist, specializing in gender studies. He is among the leading researchers and writers on men and masculinity in the world today. The author or editor of more than twenty volumes, his books include The Politics of Manhood, and The History of Men (2005).

His documentary history, "Against the Tide: Pro-Feminist Men in the United States, 1776-1990" (Beacon, 1992), chronicled men who supported women’s equality since the founding of the country. His book, Manhood in America: A Cultural History (1996) was hailed as the definitive work on the subject. Reviewers called the book "wide-ranging, level headed, human and deeply interesting," "superb...thorough, impressive and fascinating."

His most recent book, Guyland: The Perilous World Where Boys Become Men (2008) is a best-selling investigation of young people’s lives today, based on interviews with more than 400 young men, ages 16-26. Feminist icon Gloria Steinem said that "Michael Kimmel's Guyland could save the humanity of many young men – and the sanity of their friends and parents."

Kimmel holds the position of Distinguished Professor of Sociology at the State University of New York at Stony Brook in New York, and is a spokesperson of NOMAS (The National Organization For Men Against Sexism).

He lives in Brooklyn, New York with his family.

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a ton of good information in this book but most of it is dated as it was published in 1990 before the massive flood of internet pornography and its easy access to pornography. One thing I learned from these articles is men fear that the feminist debate may take away their access to pornography. Michael S. Kimmel says this, early in the anthology: "...for many men, there is silence about the question of pornography because there is no question. Pornography is a vital part of many men's sexuality, and the feminist debate may threaten that privilege. Silence is a refusal to acknowledge the debate." This is another example of privilege that many men do not understand or recognize.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

rather interesting discussion, covers both sides of the arguements.