The Meaning of Difference: American Constructions of Race, Sex and Gender, Social Class, and Sexual Orientation

by Karen E. Rosenblum, Toni-Michelle Travis

The Meaning of Difference is a text-reader about the social construction of difference as it operates in American formulations of race, sex and gender, social class, and sexual orientation. The book is based on the conviction that similar processes are at work in the construction of differences of color, sex and gender, class, and sexuality and that these processes likely also apply to other master statuses such as disability. Four framework essays provide the conceptual structure for the book. Following each framework essay is a set of readings that illustrate the concepts and processes described in the essays. The readings have been selected for readability, conceptual depth, and applicability to a variety of statuses. .

Genres: Sociology, Nonfiction, School, Teaching, Textbooks, Race, Gender

476 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1999

Reviews

[Jessbop · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for EDCN614 and found the collection of stories and articles very thought-provoking.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This particular version is outdated, but that lends it a certain kind of depth that a more recent addition wouldn’t allow—that being whether or not predictions in studies contained within this text proved to be correct or not in our American society.

Although this is absolutely a textbook with many heavily cited studies, it reads anecdotally. In fact, there are many anecdotes within the text, but the ones that are expected to read with some difficulty are read with a great deal of ease. Contained within is an unabashed view of the American landscape of society and how we view difference in each other. The authors zoom in on race, ethnicity, disability, gender, sexual identification, and many other tertiary links to the meaning of difference. It’s eye opening, to say the least, and sometimes disheartening. The final chapter even speaks to that since they encourage their readers to not feel depressed but rather driven to change this, sometimes, rather toxic landscape we find ourselves in.

We’re a long way from stabilization, acceptance, and who knows if we will ever achieve this, but it’s worth a very big attempt on our parts.

[Ric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Of interest is page 505 talking about Being a Strong White Ally.
Respect
Find out about us
Dont take over
Provide information
Resources
Money
Take Risks
Don't take it personally!!!****
Teach your children about racism
Speak up
Don't be scared by my anger
Make mistakes
honesty
Don't ask me to speak for my people!!!****

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for school. I liked how it rapped up in the end of how to make a difference. I wanted to throw the book sometimes on how awfully people have been treated due to their race, sex and gender, social class, and sexual orientation. It is inspiring.

[Keri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yay for school text books.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on understanding how we construct social differences. A contranarian view to essentialism. Highly recommended.

[JM]

My essay, "Everybody's Ethnic Enigma" is part of this anthology.

[May · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most interesting textbooks I've ever had, for a great class.