A Man's World: How Real Is Male Privilege-And How High Is Its Price?

by Ellis Cose

In a provocative examination of male identity in today's society, a successful author discusses the confusion of men over changing gender roles and expectations, using both personal accounts and startling statistics to explain how men can cope with an increasingly confusing world. Reprint.

Genres: Gender

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Ellis Cose is a former columnist for Newsweek, chairman of the editorial board of the New York Daily News, contributor and critic for Time, and columnist for USA Today. The author of numerous books, including the bestselling The Rage of a Privileged Class, he lives in New York City.

Reviews

[Joi Reece · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another thought provoking book. I must state that a great deal of understanding life involves understanding your own level of privilege. That stated, as a woman, one never forgets the realness associated with male privilege. However, challenged with the reality that the patriarchal order that society is structured does not allow men of color equal access to the benefits of being “male,” black men, without a doubt, face another challenge.

Within this book, Cose asks (pg. 10), “If being privileged is part of being male, are black males somehow exempt— if not from being male, at least from being privileged?” And Golden poses the question, “[S]ince masculinity in general is about privilege as the internal force, is black masculinity a contradiction in terms?” (p. 11). The questions that Cose and Golden pose are significant for although black males do benefit from being males, they are still disadvantaged by race.

if you are interested in a book that explores the breadth of the subject, then this is the book for you. May I recommend that you try to find a copy of this book and read it!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author is kinda naive but then I was too in the 90s. He was a bit too credulous of the idea that women make false accusations of sexual assault.

[Lancer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book!