Man Enough: Embodying Masculinities

by Victor J. Seidler

In this book, one of the leading contributors to the growing debate about men, masculinities and sexual politics, Victor J Seidler, criticizes the Enlightenment coupling of white, heterosexual masculinity with `reason′. He argues that in modern society masculinity can never be taken for granted. Men must always prove that they are `man enough′ to cope in the `correct′ way with the problems and challenges of everyday life. Seidler believes that men have to break this chain of obligations to the Enlightenment notion of masculinity. Through engaging with men′s diverse relationships with their bodies, sexualities, emotional lives, feelings and desires, Seidler explores ways of affirming masculinities while critically engaging w

256 pages, Hardcover

First published September 15, 1997

Reviews

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Partially a dialogue with Robert Bly's "Iron John", Seidler finds the sore spots in traditional masculinity and presses on the knots. Each chapter focused on an aspect of modern culture regarding men's nature and (lack of) nurture and peels back layers I didn't realize were there. This book took a long time to "get through" because each chapter brought up enough new perspectives that taking a break and digesting was necessary. Anyone, male or female, could benefit from reading this book. 10/10.