Manhood in America: A Cultural HistoryFree Press, 1996 - 544 pages In a time when psychologists are rediscovering Darwin, and much of our social behavioral is being reduced to ancient, hard-wired patterns, Michael Kimmel's history of manhood in America comes as a much needed reminder that our behavior as men and women is anything but stable and fixed. Kimmel's authoritative, entertaining, and wide-ranging history of men in America demonstrates that manhood has meant very different things in different eras. Drawing on advice books, magazines, political pamphlets, and popular novels and films, he makes two surprising claims: First, manhood is homosocial - that is, men need to prove themselves to each other, not to women. Second, definitions of manliness have evolved in response to women's movements. When women act, men react. Originally, manliness was an internal virtue and a democratic ideal - British men were viewed as fops, and American men had to be independent, honest, and responsible. By the 1890s, however, manhood changed to masculinity, something that had to be constantly proven through the new explosion of sports, fraternities, and fashion. Finally, in 1936, Lewis Terman, the creator of the IQ test, developed an "M-F" test to analyze adolescents' masculinity and femininity. Until well into the 1960s, the test penalized boys who preferred to draw flowers instead of forests, or who knew that a teacup was used for drinking tea. But just as Terman's categories and questions seem outdated to us, so will our own standards seem temporary to our successors. |
From inside the book
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Page 7
... men who are important to American men ; American men define their masculinity , not as much in relation to women , but in re- lation to each other . Masculinity is largely a homosocial enactment . " Women have , in men's minds , such a ...
... men who are important to American men ; American men define their masculinity , not as much in relation to women , but in re- lation to each other . Masculinity is largely a homosocial enactment . " Women have , in men's minds , such a ...
Page 303
... men , Baber would rather complain about rhetorical " male bashing " by feminists when they verbally rail against men's violence . Davidson , Levin , Gilder , and Baber provide a theoretical founda- tion for the men's rights backlash ...
... men , Baber would rather complain about rhetorical " male bashing " by feminists when they verbally rail against men's violence . Davidson , Levin , Gilder , and Baber provide a theoretical founda- tion for the men's rights backlash ...
Page 472
... Men's Power with Women , Other Men , and Society : A Men's Movement Analysis , " in Women and Men : The Consequences of Power , D. Hiller and R. Sheets , eds . ( Cincinnati : Office of Women's Stud- ies , University of Cincinnati , 1977 ) ...
... Men's Power with Women , Other Men , and Society : A Men's Movement Analysis , " in Women and Men : The Consequences of Power , D. Hiller and R. Sheets , eds . ( Cincinnati : Office of Women's Stud- ies , University of Cincinnati , 1977 ) ...
Contents
The Birth of the SelfMade Man | 13 |
SelfControl and Fantasies of Escape | 43 |
PART | 79 |
Copyright | |
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