CHANGING MEN: New Directions in Research on Men and Masculinity edited by Michael S. Kimmel
Changing Men assembles some of the most innovative and exciting research on men and masculinity. As such, it contributes to the demarcation of a new field called men’s studies, as well as to the examination of masculinity within traditional academic disciplines. The contributors deal with such broad topical and methodological issues as reformulating the male role, men in domestic settings, men/women relationships, sexuality, race and gender, and future directions for men’s studies. All the contributors offer scholarly treatments of the issues raised by this emerging field. Ideally suited for gender studies courses either as a text or text supplement, this distinctive volume can also be used in family studies, psychology, social psychology, and sociology courses. Changing Men “contains some very good things which make the book worth having. Two excellent papers use life history interviews: to trace the tensions in the life-course of American male athletes, especially how they handle the end of a sporting career (Messner); and to map the various strategies by which married American women handle their relations with their husbands (Gerson). A well-observed workplace ethnography looks at sexual joking in American male-dominated settings like restaurant kitchens, and the dilemmas it poses for women workers (Fine)…. An intelligent piece of social psychology, informed both by Freud and a sense of historical context, looks at the role of homophobia in the construction of American heterosexual masculinity (Herek). A fine piece of history–and the one article in the book not centred on the US–looks at the interplay of sexual politics and imperialist ideology in colonial Benga (Sinha)…. Finally there is a superb essay by Lyman discussing an episode of collective sexual harassment in an American university, fascinating in particular for its account of the way ‘normal’ gender relations were negotiated back into place after being disrupted.” –Australian and New Zealand Journal of Sociology
“A valuable addition to any reference library.” –Family Life Educator
“Written for anyone interested in the evolving roles of men and women in contemporary society, clinicians will find ample material to help them better understand their clients; researchers will be challenged to new vistas; and teachers will find valuable new insights into changing roles and may be challenged to add coursework about men’s roles.” –Family Relations
“Concerning both approach and analysis, we found Kimmel’s contribution interesting and inviting for further research along these lines.” –The Dutch Journal of Women’s Studies
“[Changing Men] attempts to push back the frontiers of ignorance and stake out the new territory of men’s studies. . . . This lucid book certainly establishes the potential of men’s studies. It is also likely that some of the chapters will deservedly find their way onto reading lists in related academic areas.” –Reviewing Sociology
“An eclectic selection of writings, reflecting the aims and attitudes of the men’s studies movement. They seek to examine the effect of traditional values of particular groups of men, or highlight changes in mens roles and perceptions of themselves.” –Working with Men
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