Slow Motion: Changing Masculinities, Changing Men

by Lynne Segal

Book by LYNNE SEGAL

Genres: Sociology, Psychology, Philosophy, Gender

396 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Lynne Segal is an Australian-born, British-based socialist feminist academic and activist, author of many books and articles, and participant in many campaigns, from local community to international.

Reviews

[Andrew H · Rating 5 out of 5]

A groundbreaking study of masculinity from the Virago camp. Segal advances her views with intelligence and wit. A fine example of social criticism. It is worrying to see people on Goodreads write comments like "outdated". Time changes, the mind moves on, and this book was a vital book in the debate around masculinity. It isn't "outdated", it is of its time, in fact, in front of its time. Maybe it lacks Theory jargon... but that is what makes it readable!

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fairly dry and slow read, but I appreciated a lot of the insights. She is certainly not afraid any aspect of the conversation on gender and gender based violence. It is clear that she is writing in a feminist perspective, but even within that, she appears to distance herself from some of the more radical feminist thinkers, like Andrea Dworkin.

It was helpful see a brief overview of the evolution of masculinity and masculine ideals. It helped to put a lot of current views in perspective. One thing for sure, there is no lack of research. I don’t think she went two sentences throughout the whole book without using some kind of reference.

One thing I walked away from was the idea that masculine violence cannot simply be addressed as a personal, psychological issue. She insists that all of the personal change happening in men’s groups in the world wouldn’t be able to impact what is already systematized. She appeals to reader to address it both as a personal and sociological issue.

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Outdated but interesting to have a feminist slant on male masculinity.