Moving Beyond Words: Age, Rage, Sex, Power, Money, Muscles: Breaking the Boundries of Gender

by Gloria Steinem

From Simon & Schuster, Moving Beyond Words is a collection of essays by influential feminist Gloria Steinem.

In the book, Steinem examines the state of the women's movement in the 1990s and offers possibilities for the future, focusing on such issues as economic empowerment, women politicians, and life affirmations that affect women today.

Genres: Feminism, Nonfiction, Essays, Womens, Politics, Gender Studies, Gender

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Gloria Marie Steinem (born March 25, 1934) is an American feminist, journalist, and social and political activist who became nationally recognized as a leader of, and media spokeswoman for, the women's liberation movement in the late 1960s and 1970s. A prominent writer and key counterculture era political figure, Steinem has founded many organizations and projects and has been the recipient of many awards and honors. She was a columnist for New York magazine and co-founded Ms. magazine. In 1969, she published an article, " After Black Power, Women's Liberation", which, along with her early support of abortion rights, catapulted her to national fame as a feminist leader.

In 2005, Steinem worked alongside Jane Fonda and Robin Morgan to co-found the Women's Media Center, an organization that works to amplify the voices of women in the media through advocacy, media and leadership training, and the creation of original content. Steinem currently serves on the board of the organization. She continues to involve herself in politics and media affairs as a commentator, writer, lecturer, and organizer, campaigning for candidates and reforms and publishing books and articles.

Reviews

[Rochelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a really interesting and thought provoking book from leading Feminist icon Gloria Steinem that's split into mini books about different aspects of the feminist movement. I found the first book on Freud to be the most interesting and informative chapter: it reveals the utterly sexist and stupid philosophies of Freud by making him a woman (Phyllis Freud) and using role reversal to illustrate her message. It is one the best bits of satire Ive ever read, and for me I learned all about the real theories and teachings of Freud, as before all I had ever received from the zeitgeist was this kind of cultish following and worship of Freud. I had of course heard of "Penis Envy" which is one of the most ridiculous notions to be widely accepted by the public Ive ever heard. The idea of women and children inviting sexual abuse fantasies and the active ignorance and discredit of abuse victims had me livid. The Strongest Woman in the World was a great look at ideas of conventional femininity and female strength and beauty. The chapters on economics and money politics had something important to say about the way labour is valued and about women, poverty and power but I did find them rather dry. Not really my comfort area. Doing Sixty was actually one of the other really interesting chapters for me despite the fact I am in my early 20s, I found Steinem's personal experiences and revelations really inspiring and interesting. It made me realize that there are things to look forward to in old age, not to dismiss women of an older age in the movement and to realize the value in experience and wisdom they may have to offer. It also emphasizes the need to be fluid, not to be afraid of change and that change is actually essential to the growth of the movement, as well as the fact we need to live in the now, instead of worrying or dreaming of the future or criticizing our actions in the past.

[Luke Hartman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was sitting on the train, on my way to work, reading this book and I noticed an older woman next to me looking at the cover. She turned to me and asked when it was published (1994) which then prompted her to ask me why I chose to read this particular book, and that it is so surprising and interesting for someone my age. It sparked up just a short conversation of my admiration for this amazing woman, her gift for words and the importance of looking to those that came before us and laid the ground work for what is being acted upon today.

We talked about how the things Gloria wrote about in this collection of essays such as how Freud was a horrible sexist piece of shit, the masculinization of muscles and money, the problems within the advertising industry and age discrimination are all still relevant and will always be relevant – because it is so important to never be complacent, never stop learning and most importantly never stop applying the things you learn to the world around you. I will never forget the smile on her face as she said, thank you for taking the time to talk to me as she got up and went on her way. Once again Gloria – thank you for enabling this moment to happen, and for all that you have done, are doing and will continue to do.

[Louise Silk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to read Steinem's newest book but this was the latest of her books available at the library.

Written in 1994, it is powerful and informative- showing both that we have made some progress and how we have a much longer path remaining.

The first section is an eye opening view of psychology and the unending influence of the male ego, Freud. Steinem shows his ludicrousness by turning the tables making him a woman. It is a brilliant ninety pages leaving no stone unturned.

The others are equally good, from the The Strongest Woman in the World to Doing Sixty showing that we must continue to push forward as we grow, and never but never sit back and give up. There is much work left to break the boundaries of gender.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read more this year than I have for the past five years, and I have discussed this 22 year old book more than anything new that I've come across. It has been a powerful antidote to the misogyny that came out in the presidential campaign and that may become the norm for the coming four years.

Gloria writes powerfully in ways that get to the heart of the matter. There are so many things that feel off with how women are valued and measured in society, and in these essays that still feel powerfully contemporary, she articulates the root causes of why women are undervalued, judged on too narrowly defined body and beauty metrics, sold products in demeaning ways, measured by psychological systems that assume we envy men's genitalia, and are ignored later in life.

Though it requires intellectual and emotional energy to power through these essays, the result is stimulating and rewarding. Nothing peels back the layers more clearly or articulates so beautifully the gap between wanting women around and wanting women to be true equals in practice. If you want words to voice your frustration and a real list of core issues to fight, read this and reimagine a better world for women.

[Andi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of the feminist ideas in this book were not new to me (which isn't surprising, considering it's about 25 years old), but I found the chapter on journalism and ethics to be of particular interest. Steinem writes about how advertising affects the quality of journalism - it's a lesson that I think all people interested in the media should read.

Her chapter on sexism as it relates to Freud was also very interesting - she simply reverses the roles in Freud's theories to show how absurd they can be. It's a great opening to her book. Be sure to read the footnotes in this chapter - there's more information there than in the text!

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read!!!!!!!!!! My illusion of Freud's all-knowing godlike position as father of psychoanalysis was shattered by Steinem's entertaining essay taking us through all of Freud's contribution giving the reader perspective, what if Sigmund were Phyllis? Refreshing and empowering the essay on Bev Francis, really pushing the question, what does it mean to be beautiful and to have strength as a woman? Essay on feminism in the upper tier of affluence blew my mind, it never having crossed my mind how oppression can function at that level.
Especially as a young feminist, it was inspiring to read of Gloria's evolution over the years and how her experiences shaped her thinking.

Again- MUST READ.

[Hillary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the how Ms. Steinem debunked Freud with a parody, she called Phyllis Freud. She wrote about things like “womb envy”, it was highly entertaining and educational if you have ever studied Freud. But my favorite part of this book was Ms. Steinem’s interview with Pat Nixon. She had requested Richard, but they gave her Pat, I liked how she was pleasantly surprised by her. It was fun to listen to. ( I listed to this on audio mostly, then bought the book to re-read it)

[trina · Rating 3 out of 5]

i am really intrigued by and appreciate the ideas put forth in this book, but unfortunately as with a lot of feminist writing (for me, at least), i find the writing itself kinda awful and hard to get through. 'what if freud were phyllis' is a perfect example of that: interesting idea, yawn-inducingly written out. maybe je suis tres bete, but i prefer reading what others have written about these writings than the original writing itself.

[Melissa Lee-Tammeus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent book of short essays by one of the greatest women of all time. Love this.

[Sonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

En este libro de 1994 Steinem recopila, actualiza y desarrolla varios artículos publicados anteriormente y añade uno final sobre su 60 cumpleaños.

El primer ensayo ¿Qué sucedería si Freud fuera Phyllis? es el que más me ha costado. La estructura elegida por la autora sirve para mostrar la desatada misoginia (y locura generalizada) de Freud y la medicina de su tiempo (y lo que ha coleado su influencia), pero la enorme cantidad de notas a pie de página, casi tan extensas como el mismo relato, han hecho que me costara seguir el hilo.
Para quien pueda dejar las notas a pie para el final no será un problema pero no es mi caso, así que ir y venir entre el relato de los hechos reales y el ficticio me ha vuelto un poco loca (además del mosqueo por lo que cuenta).

La mujer más fuerte del mundo me ha gustado especialmente. Es un tema en el que no había pensado en demasía y lo encuentro esclarecedor. Todas las culturas humanas se empeñan en enfatizar la debilidad femenina y en presentarla como explicación de la dominación masculina. La supuesta fuerza superior de los hombres justificaría esta dominación pero esto no sirve para justificarla en otros casos: los hombres blancos han dominado a las poblaciones "de color" (ej. Sudáfrica) pero no son más fuertes que los hombres de estas.
Es más, a las "minorías de color" se les ha confinado a puestos que requieren fuerza física por su supuesta fuerza superior (esclavos negros en América).
La opresión no tiene lógica.

Las diferencias de fuerza están tan englobadas, perpetuadas y exageradas por la cultura que es difícil saber con certeza cuales son esas diferencias. El abanico de diferencias entre los hombres por una parte, y entre las mujeres por otra es mucho mayor que entre mujeres y hombres como grupos.
Cuando las mujeres se incorporaron en masa al trabajo en la industria y se pudo comprobar su fuerza y resistencia (iniciándose las primeras demandas feministas) se recurrió a controlarlas para que no se rebelasen, el método, hacer que se avergüencen de su fuerza. Hacer que envidien a las delicadas damas de sociedad, delgadas, pálidas y propensas al desmayo por el tipo de indumentaria constrictiva que utilizaban, a través de revistas para mujeres y los ecos de sociedad.

Pese a las diferencias culturales hay políticas similares en la forma de tratar a los cuerpos femeninos, controlándolos incluso en las naciones más "evolucionadas".
Es más importante lo que parece el cuerpo femenino que lo que hace, así que el poder no reside en nosotras sino en la mirada del observador.
Me fascina ver hoy en día como esto está evolucionando, muchas mujeres occidentales fortalecen sus cuerpos y se enorgullecen de lo que consiguen hacer con ellos, pero es curioso que muchas de las más fuertes (como Lydia Valentín) enfatizan sus aspectos más "femeninos". En el gimnasio veo mujeres que hacen proezas físicas que pocos hombres pueden igualar, y en los vestuarios las veo pintarse como puertas, ponerse tacones imposibles y ropa que estrangula e impide la libertad de movimientos. Parece que necesitan asegurarse de que no son demasiado "masculinas".

Sexo, mentiras y publicidad habla del enorme control que tienen las empresas sobre las revistas femeninas. Obligan por contrato a maquetar según donde se coloquen sus productos y dictan muchos de los temas a tratar o descartar.
Nunca me han gustado este tipo de revistas, son catálogos de compra que me insultan a cada página (no eres lo suficientemente guapa, joven, delgada, estilosa...), y tras leer la investigación de Steinem me apena ver que el adoctrinamiento es peor de lo que imaginaba ( y por la cantidad de revistas y el volumen de las mismas no parece que la cosa haya cambiado mucho desde los 90').

La masculinización de la riqueza es un tema que desgraciadamente conozco bien y sobre el que se ha investigado mucho desde los informes que maneja la autora. La situación no ha mejorado nada desde los 90' y en lo que llevamos de siglo las sucesivas crisis mundiales no han hecho más que agravarlo.

Reevaluando la economía cuenta su aproximación a un tema imprescindible pero árido y desmoralizante, que deja de lado la contribución femenina global, y el medio ambiente (no hemos mejorado mucho tampoco en esto desde los 90').
Interpreta los presupuestos nacionales como la única declaración de valores que hace un país, de nada sirven los discursos para la imagen del mismo si se asignan "enormes cantidades de dinero a armamento y superautopistas pero una cantidad nimia en incrementar la alfabetización y disminuir la mortalidad infantil". Habla de los prejuicios de género que afectan a la mayoría de las financiaciones privadas y del gobierno de su país, y de la discriminación laboral y económica en la mayoría de los países (como ejemplo indica que se paga más a los vigilantes de los aparcamientos que a los encargados de cuidar a los niños, más a los basureros que a los auxiliares de enfermería - ¿más importantes los coches que los niños? ¿la basura que los enfermos? además de que para ser auxiliar hace falta un titulo y para basurero no...). Las cosas suelen mejorar cuando al sector afectado se suman los hombres (enfermería) pero también puede pasar al revés, cuando las mujeres se integran en un sector masculino los salarios bajan.
Entra en interesantes faltas en el cálculo del PIB/PNB de las naciones. Ahora esto se está modificando lentamente.

Cumpliendo sesenta años es un canto de liberación.
Habla de la falta de referentes para su generación, de la desaparición de hombres, y especialmente mujeres, de la vida pública a partir de los 60 y de la estigmatización que sufrían. Hoy en día ella (y otras como Jane Fonda) han conseguido frenar esa tendencia, la llegada de los boomers a esas edades ha hecho que el edadismo se cuestione cada vez más.

Todo el libro está plagado de frases e ideas que me gustaría reproducir pero sería excesivo, así que solo anotare un par de muestras:

"Insistimos en la destructiva ficción del nacionalismo.
Como grupo que no puede hacer frente a la cara ficción de tener una nación - y cuyos cuerpos sufren el nacionalismo al estar limitados como su medio de reproducción-, tal vez las mujeres de todas las razas y culturas sean quienes tengan más razones para preguntar: ¿ cómo podemos crear un futuro más allá del nacionalismo? De todos modos, ha existido durante menos del 5% de la historia de la humanidad. Seguramente hay otros modos de compartir esta nave espacial llamada Tierra"

"Los sistemas jerárquicos prevalecen al hacernos creer que somos inadecuados e imperfectos, hagamos lo que hagamos, para que interioricemos la culpa. Pero una vez que nos damos cuenta de que no existe algo como la adecuación o la perfección, nos dejan libres para decir : también podríamos ser quienes somos realmente."

[Sarah W. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Steinem's vast experience in feminism movements builds her credibility and authority like no other. But she assumes her reader has the same fervor for the cause as she pushes for changes and unification of all women.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I respect the heck out of Steinem as both a writer and an activist. Reading this book made me think while also keeping my interest.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great essays by Gloria.

[Gemini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a fan of the first section of this book, way too many footnotes going on which was really annoying. Thank goodness it gets better though. I feel like there are various things that she touches on that may hit home for some people.

[Fatima]

305.4 STE libraries

[Rachael]

Hillary gave this 5 stars

[Heather Dawson]

I read this in one of my Women's Studies Classes in College - and I kept it - one of the few that I didn't sell back at the end of the school year.

[Julie Ehlers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of interesting stuff here, but for me the best parts were the autobiographical ones. Gloria Steinem needs to write a memoir, stat.

[Micebyliz]

a great book. mostly articles i had read, but good for a refresher.

[Bahar Anooshahr · Rating 4 out of 5]

She's an inspiring woman. In this book, especially in the chapter on Freud, she does some masterful mental jujitsu to demonstrate sexism. It's a worthwhile read for men and women alike.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

published in 1995, this book is still very applicable to women's situation today.

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

A DIVERSE COLLECION OF ESSAYS

Gloria Marie Steinem (born 1934) is an American feminist, journalist, and social and political activist who was a columnist for New York magazine and co-founded Ms. magazine. She also co-founded the Women's Media Center, and serves on its board. She was married for three years to David Bale, before his death.

She wrote in the Preface to this 1994 book, “I was hoping this would be an easy book… I thought this would be a collection of already published articles… But more than a year later, it has become a book of mostly new writing. Three of its six parts appear here for the first time… Since there seems to be no genre for this, I’ve found myself explaining it in this way: If you added water to any of these parts, it would become a book.”

In the opening essay, ‘What if Freud Were Phyllis?’ she observes, “What if a female head of state had thrown up on the Japanese and fainted as President Bush did?... What if movies about ‘masochistic’ women who are portrayed as falling in love with their torturers were about Jews who fell in love with Nazis? What if TV jokes that are told about dumb blondes were told about dumb blacks?... Why do I hear only women struggling with combining career and family? If men could get pregnant, would abortion be a sacrament?” (Pg. 25)

She observes, “[Freud] went on projecting the fiery outlines of his own experience onto the words and lives of his patients, often turning them into a screen for his theory rather than a source of it. ‘Anatomy is destiny’ could have been joined by ‘Biography is destiny.’ That is, Freud treated HIS biography as OUR destiny.” (Pg. 29-30)

In the chapter ‘The Strongest Woman in the World,’ she recounts meeting with Bev Francis and Steve Weinberger (stars of the ‘Pumping Iron II’ film; they are now married). Bev told her, “I’d always felt [my nose] was too big for my face. It was also more masculine, and my muscles were enough that was masculine about me… Steve said, ‘If you don’t like it, change it.’ I think it fits my face better now, and it’s made me feel more confident. I also let my hair grow longer, put highlights in it, and wore a little makeup. That made me feel good, because all of a sudden I could do something I didn’t know I could do. I thought you were born one way, and that was it. I didn’t know you could look more like these gorgeous women; that they had little tricks to make themselves look better.’”

She continues, “One little trick she wouldn’t try was breast implants. ‘All the top women bodybuilders have implants now. I’m one of the last who doesn’t---and who’s refused to. That’s one of the things that annoys me about bodybuilding. We’re not SUPPOSED to be what conventional women look like, because we’ve built our bodies. How can you have low body fat and still have big breasts? My sexuality isn’t threatened enough for me to stuff things in my chest to look like a woman.‘” (Pg. 112-113)

In ‘Revaluing Economics,’ she states, After reading about John Kenneth Galbraith’s spartan farm-boy upbringing in Canada, I could imagine the source of his ability to criticize the hyperconsumption of this affluent society, and even to name its conversion of ‘housewives’ (or ‘homemakers,’ as many women prefer, since they are not married to houses) into the first educated, full-time consumers in history. (After all, who else could have time to buy all that stuff we don’t need, not to mention waiting for its delivery and repair?)” (Pg. 200)

She argues, “patriarchal politicians recognize every time they vote against their own monetary self-interest by refusing to spend a small sum on contraception and abortion as part of the health-care system in the U.S., knowing that unwanted births will cost hundreds of times more in the long run. For women to have the power of choice, the power to decide if our bodies will reproduce, would mean that we had taken control of the means of reproduction---and this control is the bottom line of patriarchy.” (Pg. 222)

She observes, “Everything comes together once we’ve found the work for which experience and temperament suit us… A movement is only composed of people moving. To feel its warmth and motion around us is the end as well as the means.” (Pg. 270-271)

She reveals, “I’m just beginning to realize the upcoming pleasures of being a nothing-to-lose, take-no-shit older woman; or looking at what once seemed outer limits as just road signs.” (Pg. 280)

Gloria Steinem is one of the ‘must read’ authors in the second-wave Feminist movement.

[Paola Cortes · Rating 3 out of 5]

The essay about Freud was very enlighting, however on the piece about the oppression of women being the same (or worse) than slavery where she didn't even questioned the relation of power white women have and how some use it to inflict pain in others, I don't know, it made me trip. She basically said that poor women had it better than rich women without even taking the time to cite the violence levels that the system and society put through poor women. I had a high opinion of her from reading outrageous acts but she broke it with this book. White feminism at its core

[Justice Tinker · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a feminist myself I do believe the information in this book is very valuable. But...the book is written in a way where it's hard to read and comprehend without serious effort and some parts just felt very boring to me. I skipped pages and certain sections several times...

[Samaa Ahmed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, but especially Revaluing Economics!!!! Literally an essay that has changed my life!

[Kevin Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I struggled as I was reading the chapters. They started out slow. But as I stuck with them I was glad I did. To me the last chapter was the best.

[Nancy]

Speaks the truth. So sad that she has had to watch everything fought for go away.

[Mirra Price]

Gloria Steinem has been one of my sheroes since I worked in the women's liberation movement and the anti-war movement in the '60s and '70s. I heard her speak at Indiana University in the early '70s, and was mesmerized by her intelligence, wit, and dedication to organizing women in our struggle for equality.

I have read other of her books, and each time I put one of them down, I feel as though I have been separated from a good friend and fellow women's empowerment comrade. Moving Beyond Words melds the personal and political as it is part movement chronicle and part personal memoir about Gloria herself as she was organizing as a key figure in the women's movement.

From her pioneer magazine, Ms., to her continual speaking tours and movement organizing, Gloria Steinem is and has always been the women's movement in this country. She has other important organizers with her, yet she is and has always been at the top of the mountain. Even now, if you hear her name, it calls up feminism and organizing for women's equality.

Read this book if you want to know how Gloria managed devoting herself to uplifting all the women in this country and worldwide. She is a shining example of walking her talk. This book is a window into her life and work. Read it. You won't be disappointed.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read in 1996, review from then: ...there is a long and wonderful critique of Freud, and lots more to strengthen your resolve to not take any shit. She's a great writer.

[Addie]

I still have two essays to go. but it was due back to the library...