The Body Reader: Essential Social and Cultural Readings

432 pages. cover worn, bumped, An essential collection of readings on cultural, social, and emotional unders tandings of the bodyPlastic surgery, obesity, anorexia, pregnancy, prescr iption drugs, disability, piercings, steroids, and sex re-assignment surgery: ov er the past two decades there have been major changes in the ways we understand, treat, alter, and care for our bodies. The Body Reader is a compelling, cutting -edge, and timely collection that provides a close look at the emergence of the study of the body.From prenatal genetic testing and ?manscaping?; to televideo cybersex and the ?meth economy,? this innovative work digs deep in to contemporary lifestyles and current events to cover key concepts and theories about the body. A combination of twenty one classic readings and original essay s, the contributors highlight gender, race, class, ability, and sexuality, payin g special attention to bodies that are at risk, bodies that challenge norms, and media representations of the body. Ultimately, The Body Reader makes it clear t hat the body is not neutral?it is the entry point into cultural and structural relationships, emotional and subjective experiences, and the biological realms of flesh and bone.Contributors: Patricia Hill Collins, Karen Dias, H. Hug h Floyd, Jr., Arthur Frank, Sander L. Gilman, Gillian Haddow, Richard Huggins, M atthew Immergut, L:ea Kent, Kristen Karlberg, Steve Kroll-Smith, Mary Kosut, Jar vis Jay Masters, Lisa Jean Moore, Tracey Owens Patton, William J. Peace, Jason P ine, Eric Plemons, Barbara Katz Rothman, Edward Slavishak, Phillip Vannini, and Dennis Waskul.…