My Brother's Keeper: What the Social Sciences Do (and Don't) Tell Us About Masculinity

by Mary Stewart Van Leeuwen

"What is man, that you are mindful of him, the son of man, that you care for him?" Indeed, what is a man? As our society sorts through what it means to be masculine or feminine and roles drift and shift, men as well as women feel the strain. Very recently, a small but growing field of theory called men's studies has appeared in reaction to the decades-long feminist movement in women's studies. Can the social sciences informing contemporary men's studies (psychology, cultural anthropology and others) provide helpful insight as to what helps or hinders men in becoming the sons, fathers, husbands, and brothers they ought to be? Following her landmark gender-reconciliation text, Gender and Grace, Mary Stewart Van Leeuwen turns her focus to men's studies in this new book. She incorporates the most recent and significant research in the social sciences with a biblically founded Christian worldview that sets the course for men and women being in right relationship. Surveying a vast amount of literature with balance and insight, Van Leeuwen probes the value and plumbs the limits of what the social sciences offer Christians. For men and women, for students, teachers and general readers, Van Leeuwen offers an alternative to mindless conformity to--or dismissal of--cultural "norms." Rather she encourages pursuit of a faithful masculinity that honors the God who made men and women to be a blessing to each other.

Genres: Christian, Gender, Nonfiction

255 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 2002

Reviews

[Cayce · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-researched look at gender and how different Christian approaches create varied understandings of gender norms and roles. The author cites many scholastic works (psychology, sociology) as well as anecdotal evidence from interviews, etc. She identifies where churches today are missing the mark and offers some guidance in how we can do better by men and women, and anyone who feels ostracized by the modern gender stereotypes/expectations.

[Angélique (Angel) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in spurts as part of my Psych of Gender class and was notably impressed. Van Leeuwen masterfully interweaves anecdotes, multidisciplinary research and ideas, and Christian ideals in order to create a very clear, comprehensible look into the development of masculinity and the problems that have developed with it.

[Радостин Марчев · Rating 5 out of 5]

Една от най-добрите книги, които съм чел тази година.

[Joel Wentz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, I thank God for Mary Stewart Van Leeuwen! She brings such a refreshing perspective to the contentious Christian debate about gender roles, and the Evangelical world would do well to heed her voice. What I appreciate so much about her writing, and I include her earlier IVP book 'Gender and Grace' in this, is that she takes the sciences seriously. She is conversant with evolutionary biology, cultural anthropology, and sociology, but she does not abandon her biblical, faith-fueled convictions. All this combines to produce a perspective with credibility, in my mind, and I'm so thankful she has taken the time to produce this work on masculinity. Her arguments are compelling, and I would recommend this book to absolutely any pastor, youth pastor, ministry leader who is trying to understand the minefield of the gender debate in our culture.

I would recommend first reading Gender and Grace, however, as some of her arguments build on that earlier work. Either way, this is an important book!