Male/Female Roles: Opposing Viewpoints (Opposing Viewpoints Series)

Various authors debate how sex roles were established and how men and women respond to changes in sex roles

Gr 9 Up--Each of these books begins with a quote from the first amendment and then goes on to exemplify exchanges of ideas made possible by freedom of speech and of the press. Essays supporting opposite points of view are presented in pairs, and many are by well-known writers, from Susan Faludi and Dale Spencer to Phyllis Schafly and Robert Bly. Each one is prefaced by questions that encourage critical thinking; more questions appear in the appendixes. Sexual Values includes discussions of pornography, sexual education, behavior, and many issues concerning gays and lesbians, some of which are social rather than sexual. Male/Female Roles discusses the establishment of gender roles, how they have changed, and the future of relationships between the sexes. Wekesser's book begins with a historical perspective of the women's movement and a discussion of 19th-century feminism. Topics also include feminism's effects on women, society, and its future and goals. References to political events and popular culture are up to date. The volumes have detailed bibliographies and appendixes that list and describe organizations relevant to the material presented. These titles are not light reading, but will be invaluable for class discussions and reports.

Rebecca O'Connell, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

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