The Myth of Masculinity

About this book

In this book Joseph Pleck examines and analyzes the full body of research literature on the male role that has appeared since the 1930s and subjects it to a devastating critique. He identifies the components of the "male sex role paradigm" which has been the basis of research for the past forty years and notes numerous instances of blatant misrepresentation of data twisted reinterpretations of disconfirming results misogyny homophobia and class bias. He proposes a new theory the "sex role strain paradigm " offers a reinterpretation of sex role stereotyping and a critique of research by sociobiologists that allegedly demonstrates a biological basis for male aggression.