Masculinities

This is an exciting new edition of R.W. Connell's groundbreaking text, which has become a classic work on the nature and construction of masculine identity. In its first edition, Masculinities provided one of the most important voices in feminist scholarship by men. Connell argued that there is no such thing as a single concept of masculinity, but, rather, that many different masculinities exist, each associated with different positions of power. In a world in which gender order continues to extend privilege to men over women, but that also raises difficult issues for men and boys, Connell's account is more pertinent than ever. In the new edition's substantial new introduction and conclusion, Connell discusses the development of masculinity studies in the ten years since the book's initial publication. She explores global gender relations, new theories, and practical uses of masculinity research. Looking to the future, her new concluding chapter addresses the politics of masculinities, and the implications of masculinity research as a way of understanding current world issues. Against the backdrop of an increasingly divided world, one that is presently dominated by neo-conservative politics, Connell's account highlights a series of compelling questions about the future of human society. This second edition of Connell's classic book will be essential reading for students taking courses on masculinities and gender studies and will be of interest to students and scholars across the humanities and social sciences. This Is A New Edition Of R.w. Connell's Text, Which Has Become A Classic Work On The Nature And Construction Of Masculine Identity. Connell Argues That There Is Not One Masculinity, But Many Different Masculinities, Each Associated With Different Positions Of Power. In A World Gender Order That Continues To Privilege Men Over Women, But Also Raises Difficult Issues For Men And Boys, His Account Is More Pertinent Than Ever Before. This Second Edition Of Connell's Book Will Be Essential Reading For Students Taking Courses On Masculinities And Gender Studies, And Will Be Of Interest To Students And Scholars Across The Humanities And Social Sciences.--jacket. Introduction To The Second Edition -- Introducing Masculinities -- Growth Of The Field Of Study -- Debates And Difficulties -- The Global Dimension -- In Conclusion -- Pt. I. Knowledge And Its Problems -- 1. The Science Of Masculinity -- Rival Knowledges -- Clinical Knowledge -- The Oedipus Complex -- Archetype And Identity -- Radical Psychoanalysis -- The Male Role -- The New Social Science -- Histories -- Ethnography Of The Other -- Social Construction And Gender Dynamics -- Political Knowledge -- The Object Of Knowledge -- 2. Men's Bodies -- True Masculinity -- Machine, Landscape And Compromise -- The Body Inescapable -- Complexities Of Mire Or Blood -- Banquo's Ghost : Body-reflexive Practices -- Forming The World -- 3. The Social Organization Of Masculinity -- Defining Masculinity -- Gender As A Structure Of Social Practice -- Relations Among Masculinities : Hegemony, Subordination, Complicity, Marginalization -- Historical Dynamics, Violence And Crisis Tendencies -- Pt. Ii. Four Studies Of The Dynamics Of Masculinity -- Introduction -- 4. Live Fast And Die Young -- Group And Context -- Abstract Labour -- Violence And The State -- Compulsory Heterosexuality For Men -- Masculinity As Collective Practice -- Protest Masculinity -- Other Trajectories -- Divergent Masculinities And Gender Politics -- 5. A Whole New World -- The Moment Of Engagement -- Distancing -- The Environmental Movement -- Encounters With Feminism -- The Moment Of Separation -- The Annihilation Of Masculinity -- The Moment Of Contestation -- 6. A Very Straight Gay -- The Moment Of Engagement -- The Grain Of Sand : Sexuality -- Being Gay : Identity And Relationships -- Relations Between Masculinities -- Facing Change -- Gay Masculinity As Project And History -- 7. Men Of Reason -- Constructing Masculinity -- Constructing Rationality -- Career And Workplace -- The Irrational -- Reason And Change -- Pt. Iii. History And Politics -- 8. The History Of Masculinity -- The Production Of Masculinity In The Formation Of The Modern Gender Order -- Transformations -- The Present Moment -- 9. Masculinity Politics -- Men's Politics And Masculinity Politics -- Masculinity Therapy -- The Gun Lobby : Defending Hegemonic Masculinity -- Gay Liberation -- Exit Politics -- 10. Practice And Utopia -- Historical Consciousness -- Purposes Of Action -- Degendering And Recomposing -- Forms Of Action -- Education -- Prospects -- Afterword : The Contemporary Politics Of Masculinity -- Men's Interests In Contemporary Patriarchy -- 'backlash' Politics -- Neoliberalism And Men's Interests -- The Problem Of Violence -- Masculinity Politics On A World Scale. R.w. Connell. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [282]-310) And Index. When it was first published over a decade ago, R.W. Connell's ground-breaking text on the nature and construction of masculine identity rapidly became a classic. In Masculinities Connell argues that there is not one masculinity, but many different masculinities, each associated with different positions of power. In a world gender order that continues to privilege men over women, but also raises difficult issues for men and boys, her account is more relevant than ever before. In this new edition, Connell discusses the development of masculinity studies in the ten years since the book's initial publication. She explores global gender relations, new theories, and practical uses of masculinity research. She also addresses the politics of masculinities, and the implications of masculinity research for understanding current world issues. Against the backdrop of an increasingly divided world, dominated by neo-conservative politics, Connell's account highlights a series of compelling questions about the future of human society. Masculinities has been translated into many languages and in 2004 it was voted one of the ten most influential books in Australian sociology. This second edition will be essential reading for students taking courses in gender studies, and a valuable reference for readers across the humanities and social sciences. the fundamental study on masculinity as a formative factor of modern social inequality, and also one of the most important books in the social sciences in recent years' Professor Ilse Lenz, Ruhr University, Bochum