Gendered Bodies: Feminist Perspectives - Softcover

Lorber, Judith; Moore, Lisa Jean

Softcover

ISBN 10: 019533079X ISBN 13: 9780195330793

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 2006

Synopsis

For centuries the biological sciences have dissected, measured, and probed the human body as a product of nature. But from a feminist perspective, the human body is a social production. Human bodies are shaped and controlled by the norms and expectations of gendered social orders, and intersected by racial, class, religious, and age norms and expectations. The result is a gendered body produced for a gendered social world.

In this concise text with readings, designed for undergraduate students, Judith Lorber and Lisa Jean Moore present feminist contributions to social and cultural studies of the human body, examining the construction of gendered bodies in different contexts. They argue that the ideology of the perfect body is a powerful means of social control for girls and boys, as well as for women and men. The authors show how children's bodies are gendered through games and sports--and shaped and modified throughout adulthood to meet social expectations.

Gendered Bodies: Feminist Perspectives covers a broad range of topics, such as men's bodies and masculinity norms, third-wave feminist menstrual activism, transgender and intersex issues, the male pill, the controversies over male circumcision and ritual genital cutting of girls, disabilities, war wounds in Iraq, torture, and suicide bombers.

Each chapter includes a list of key concepts, three readings, recommended books and articles, and Internet sources. For the instructor, the book includes class exercises and a list of films with relevant themes.

About this title

About the Author:

Judith Lorber is at Brooklyn College and Graduate Center, CUNY. Lisa Jean Moore is at State University of New York at Purchase.

Review:

"Gendered Bodies provides an accessible introduction to feminist perspectives on gender and the body and a wealth of resources for exploring this domain of inquiry. The authors are clearly committed to intersectional analyses, and make every effort to consider these issues vis-à-vis gender and the body. The book's unique format provides students with a combination of primary and secondary materials. I think the approach is excellent, [and] on the whole, this book is enormously compelling and accessible."--Sara Shostak, Brandeis University

"A book that so broadly, but coherently and concisely, addresses gendered bodies from a feminist perspective is perfect for [my course on Feminist Social and Political Thought]. Students have given me positive feedback on the book and we have had very lively and productive class discussions based on its readings. I look forward to assigning this terrific book in the future."--Barbara Sutton, University at Albany, State University of New York

"The text is foremost in the field. I could not imagine teaching my course without it!"--Simona J. Hill, Susquehanna University

"This book gives students a clear framework in which to understand how gender is an arbitrary and ongoing albeit hidden process--the body is no more natural than the self."--Kathleen Waites, Nova Southeastern University

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 019533079X
• ISBN 13: 9780195330793
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 272