An Introduction to Masculinities / Edition 1

by Jack S. Kahn

Overview

In the last thirty years, there has been a tremendous growth in the academic inquiry to understand men in their experiences as men. This growth is largely due to growing awareness of the problems that people face in trying to understand what it means to be masculine. This text introduces students to the research, theories, and basic issues in the field of Men and Masculinities, highlighting debates about the definition, origin, and the crisis in masculinity. The author provides a framework for studying the field of masculinities incorporating feminist, social constructionist, and interdisciplinary perspectives.

Written in an accessible style, An Introduction to Masculinities provides personal anecdotes and contemporary examples to make the theoretical concepts relevant to students’ lives. The text also introduces students to leading contributors and experts whose work have informed the field. The author gives the reader a context and structure by which they can critically understand and evaluate information about men and masculinities.

An Instructor's Manual is available at www.wiley.com/go/kahn

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http://jackkahn.com/

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Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781405181785
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	03/09/2009
Pages:	432
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Jack S. Kahn is a Professor of psychology at Curry College. He teaches courses in psychology and gender and has published articles in the areas of feminist identity for men, multicultural identity and family assessment. Jack is a member of the American Psychological Association, Association for Women in Psychology, Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinity and the Constructivist Psychology Network. He is a steering member of the National Organization for Men Against Sexism (NOMAS), Boston chapter and on the editorial board for 'Women & Therapy'.

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Table of Contents

Preface xi

Acknowledgments xvii

1 Overview 1

2 Social Context and Masculinities 21

3 Difficulties of Definitions and Masculinity as a Social Construct 47

4 Psychological and Interactive Models of Masculinity 73

5 Origins and Locations of Masculinities: Social Models 95

6 Origins and Locations of Masculinities: Psychological Models 117

7 Origins and Locations of Masculinities: Interactive and Social Constructionist Models 141

8 Men in Crisis 165

9 The Crisis in Masculinity: Essentialist Perspective 193

10 The Crisis in Masculinity: Psychosocial Perspective 209

11 The Crisis in Masculinity: Social Constructionist Perspective 231

12 Putting it All Together: Next Steps for Masculinities 261

Masculinities Terms 269

References 297

Author Index 367

Subject Index 385

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"I have taught this subject area for several years and have always been frustrated by the lack a text that would give students an understanding of the basic, but difficult for undergraduates to grasp, concepts of the field of masculinities. What happens is that the materials available tend to fall back on simplistic gender research that has ‘pop’ attraction, but doesn't really expand the student's critical capacities. The style of presentation, the assumption of student's need for non-abstract language, illustrations and analogies present in this book shows an acute concern for and understanding of the student's prospect of learning here."
–George Muedeking, California State University, Stanislaus

"This is the book that I’ve been waiting for someone to write! Kahn integrates theory and research from the social sciences into a coherent account of the diverse meanings of ‘masculinities'. Most books on men’s studies are either highly focused on a particular analytic framework, or provide broad surveys with little theoretical depth. Kahn identifies the major paradigms through which masculinities can be conceptualized. As a result, readers will gain a 'meta' awareness of how men’s lives are being constructed and analyzed, both by professionals and lay people in everyday life. This book is truly an accomplishment."
–Michael Addis, Clark University

"An Introduction to Masculinities is a comprehensive overview of a wide range of perspectives on masculinities. It provides students with an excellent road map to guide them through important theories and issues in a complex field."
 –Dr. Harry Brod, Professor of Philosophy and Humanities, Department of Philosophy and World Religions, University of Northern Iowa

"I have just finished reading Dr. Kahn's new book An Introduction to Masculinities and am extremely impressed by the quality of the work. A high quality introductory text on masculinity is much needed and long overdue. The many important concepts to which the student is introduced are clearly explained in a writing style that is both engaging and personal. This is the book we have been waiting for."
–Ellyn Kaschak, Professor of Psychology, Author of Engendered Lives and Editor, Journal of Women and Therapy

"Dr Kahn has written a clear, wide-ranging and thoughtful introduction to contemporary issues and research about masculinities. Students and teachers will find this a valuable guide to complex and important problems."
–Raewyn Connell, University of Sydney, Author of Masculinities

''I am grateful to Jack Kahn for this careful, compendious, well-researched yet reader-friendly book. As a teacher, Kahn is skilled at explaining complex gender ideas and connecting them with our daily experiences and feelings. All students will find a lot to interest them here."
–Peggy McIntosh, Ph.D., Associate Director, Wellesley Centers for Women, Wellesley College

"Kahn makes a unique and valuable contribution to the fields of masculinities and gender studies. Speaking to students with a masterful blend of personal and academic writing, he makes the social and psychological complexities of these issues accessible in an introductory text."
–Dr. Steven Botkin, Executive Director, Men's Resources International

Editorial Reviews

"As a result, this book is more than an introduction to the field; it is a warm invitation to anyone wishing to
explore it." (Zentralblatt Math, 23 January 2010)

"In sum, I found this text to be a highly valuable, nuanced, and comprehensive addition to the men's studies literature, taking its place alongside the previous works of Doyle (3994) and Kilmartin (2007), as well as the narrower psychological analysis of masculinity by Levant and Pollack (1995). I highly recommend it for all readers, particularly those seeking a work embedded with feminist and social constructionist perspectives." (Psychology of Women Quarterly, August 2010)

"This book has many strengths and it fulfils its aim of being a useful introductory text." (Notre Dame European Journal of Women's Studies, 2010)

"The book is definitely a very open discussion and presentation of the field, urging the reader to question all aspects of research. For that reason alone I found it a very useful introduction to research into any discipline - I don't think this book should stop at being recommended to students wishing to explore the theme of masculinities, it would form a good basis into any social sciences research." (Psych-Talk, September 2010)

"Our much-needed and long overdue textbook has arrived. ... This book is more than an introduction to the field; it is a warm invitation to anyone wishing to explore it." (Sex Roles, January 2010)

"[A] timely and a welcome addition for those undergraduate courses that aim to begin a discussion about masculinities. … An excellent option for introductory courses within women's studies, men's studies, psychology, sociology, humanities, and special topics courses. It is thus a welcome tool to those of us who are dedicated to nurturing this fledgling field." (PsycCRITIQUES, January 2010)

"Kahn engagingly introduces biological, psychological and constructionist approaches to different understandings of masculinity, juxtaposing the different perspectives in ways that promote critical thinking." (Psychologist, December 2009)

From the Publisher