Why Men Are the Way They Are : The Male-Female Dynamic

relationship

In analyzing the nature and attitudes of men, psychologist-sociologist Farrell (The Liberated Man, etc.) airs women's grievances against men and sets out to explain men to both women and to men themselves. Taking into account that feminism has altered the dynamic between the sexes, Farrell claims that in their relationships both sexes would like to "have it all," but that their realities and fantasies diverge widelyfantasies that, he contends, are exploited by advertising, magazines, romance novels, movies and TV, working at both conscious and unconscious levels. These media intensify men's compulsion to perform in sports, at sex and on the job, often masking deep insecurity and vulnerability, the author maintains. To achieve intimacy and balance in a relationship, he counsels, both men and women must not only share risks but learn to promote growth in the other, rather than nurture deficiencies. Major ad/promo; author tour.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Another book for women about men, this attempt at psychological/sociological exploration generalizes about relations between white, urban, middle-class men and women. Blaming socialization and stereotypic sex roles for the inability of men to relate to women, the author maintains that "only when a woman shares male risks can she really begin to understand men." Farrell uses cartoons, advertisements, personal and fictional anecdotes, references to movies, but few hard facts to substantiate his simplistic hypotheses. Often appealing, occasionally insightful, sometimes misguided, this sincere attempt to deescalate the war between the sexes has relatively little to offer.James E. Van Buskirk, Acad. of Art Coll. Lib., San Francisco
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.