The Social Construction of Gender

About this book

Published in Cooperation with Sociologists for Women in Society "Women are women and men are men"--this old aphorism is being challenged with ever increasing frequency as social researchers focus on the nature of constructed gender roles. Much of the recent work in this area has appeared in the journal Gender & Society which is the genesis of most of the papers in The Social Construction of Gender. In their collection Lorber and Farrell present the best of current research on how the constructivist approach has been applied to a number of variables including family structure the work place social class racial ethnic identity and politics. Theoretical and methodological implications of the constructed nature of gender roles are highlighted as well as the existing theories of gender deconstruction. The articles and introductory material in this volume reflect feminist social science theory in concrete ways that make the text accessible to scholars professionals and students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. This resource is ideal for courses on feminist studies sociology of gender and social theory construction. "One of the strengths of this book is that it provides some conceptual tools that we may not have come across elsewhere. . . . A second strength of the book is the welcome addition of racial/ethnic identity and social class to the issue of gender. . . . All in all the book is a rich offering of ideas research and experience. Each article can stand alone as a valuable contribution; as an anthology the book insists that we look at the realities of gender." --Smith College Studies in Social Work "A fine collection of current research on one of the major topics of the day. Shows that sociology can be both lively and intellectually illuminating." --R. W. Connell Macquarie University Sydney "Psychologists have much to gain from attending to a sociological perspective. The Social Construction of Gender provides that perspective intertwined with an excellent integration of feminist theory and relevant psychological literature. Judith Lorber and Susan Farrell have compiled 18 articles that like sociology continually challenge the reader to reflect upon the broad structural issues that pervasively influence construction of reality. . . . well articulated. . . . chapters regarding masculinity consider points of view sometimes overlooked by feminist theorists. . . .provides a solid knowledge base for those feminists in psychology without a sociological background. The Social Construction of Gender was a pleasure to read. Informative clear and concise it presents a view of womens position in Western society that bridges psychology sociology economics management anthropology history politics religion and public policy." --Association for Women in Psychology Newsletter