What is Masculinity? Why Does it Matter? And Other Big Questions

What Is... And Other Big Questions

by Jeffrey Boakye, Darren Chetty

Masculinity is being discussed more than ever before, in a range of contexts. People talk about 'toxic masculinity', claim that there is a crisis in masculinity or argue that we need to 'reclaim masculinity'. There have always been many ways of being a man, and many people who have claimed that there are correct and incorrect ways of being a man. This important and timely book looks at the big questions surrounding definitions of masculinity, and discusses where ideas of masculinity have come from and the effects of gender stereotyping. The authors and contributors share their experiences of and perspectives on masculinity and invite readers to think for themselves about the issues involved.Aimed at young people aged 10 and upwards. Part of the groundbreaking and important 'And Other Big Questions' series, which offers balanced and considered views on the big issues we face in the world we live in today.Other titles in the series is Gender? How does it define us?What is Feminism? Why do we need it?What is Consent? Why is it important?What is Mental Health? Where does it come from?

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting, Feminism

49 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 23, 2020

Reviews

[Barbara Band · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great additions to the series that explores an important topic. Contains some excellent case studies and viewpoints that would be a good starting point for further discussion.

[Thomas Creedy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really underwhelmed by it. Perhaps my expectations were too high (particularly for a book aimed at kids/carers) based on previously loving Boakye's 'Black, Listed'.

This is a book about masculinity that feels like it could have been a worksheet or a blog post. It assumes a Western 'liberal' (And arguably gets the definition of that wrong) understanding of 'gender', and completely fails to engage meaningfully with history and religion. Apparently politics is the reason masculinity is broken. The book isn't even coherent within itself, unfortunately.

It isn't 1/5 as the range of perspectives means that the basic point that different boy's/men's experiences are considered, and valid - but that isn't to agree that they are all 'good' or 'healthy'. Definitely not a book I'll be revisiting any time soon - with my son or daughters!