An Introduction to Masculinities
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.
Table of Contents
- Overview.
- Social Context and Masculinities.
- Difficulties of Definitions and Masculinity as a Social Construct.
- Psychological and Interactive Models of Masculinity.
- Origins and Locations of Masculinities: Social Models.
- Origins and Locations of Masculinities: Psychological Models.
- Origins and Locations of Masculinities: Interactive and Social Constructionist Models.
- Men in Crisis.
- The Crisis in Masculinity: Essentialist Perspective.
- The Crisis in Masculinity: Psychosocial Perspective.
- The Crisis in Masculinity: Social Constructionist Perspective.
- Putting it All Together: Next Steps for Masculinities.
Reviews
Imagine an introductory masculinities studies textbook that seamlessly integrates theory and contemporary research from the social sciences and makes complex issues accessible—with review questions, personal anecdotes, reference sections for each chapter, short biographies of scholars whose work shape the chapters, and even a glossary for readers who have trouble keeping up with the jargon. Do you think you’re dreaming? Imagine no longer, colleagues; our much-needed and long overdue textbook has arrived. Kahn’s conversational style of writing speaks directly to the reader without minimizing or sacrificing the intellectual depth associated with multidimensional theoretical models. Not only is the writing accessible, it is dynamic and consistently engaging. Kahn’s inclusiveness increases the reader’s understanding of how masculinities intersect with culture and other social categories such as race, socioeconomic status, religion, age, and sexuality. This, in my opinion, the major strength of the book. As a feminist woman of color who researches Black feminist masculinities this was its most rewarding feature, and the reason I intend to use it as a supplementary text in my Black masculinities course. This book is more than an introduction to the field; it is a warm invitation to anyone wishing to explore it.
Aaronette White, University of Santa Cruz (Sex Roles, 62, 2010)
Jack Kahn’s Introduction to Masculinities is an extraordinary work of scholarship, both because it is uncommon and because it exceeds the ordinary. Although the title suggests that the work is introductory, this book is far deeper and far more complex than most any other similar work in terms of its thorough and scrupulous analysis of its subject matter—the nature of masculinities… I highly recommend it for all readers, particularly those seeking a work embedded with feminist and social constructionist perspectives.
Gary Brooks, Baylor University, Psychology of Women Quarterly, Sept, 2010
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
Few textbooks have successfully integrated the remarkable body of interdisciplinary research on men and masculinity. Kahn’s introductory textbook is thus timely and a welcome addition for those undergraduate courses that aim to begin a discussion about masculinities. While highlighting both theory and application, Kahn certainly succeeds in delivering a user-friendly text that examines many of the contemporary debates within the scholarship of masculinity, including various, and often conflicting, theoretical approaches regarding the origins and locations of masculinity, and various proposed solutions to the “crisis” of masculinity. We believe An Introduction to Masculinities is 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.
Ronald F. Levant, University of Akron, & Katherine A. Richmond, Family Practitioner, Fairlawn, OH (PsycCRITIQUES January 13, 2010)
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