Product Description

Does feminism give a much-needed voice to women in a patriarchal world? Or is the world not really patriarchal? Has feminism begun to level the playing field in a world in which women are more often paid less at work and abused at home? Or are women paid equally for the same work and not abused more at home? Does feminism support equality in education and in the military, or does it discriminate against men by ignoring such issues as male-only draft registration and boys lagging behind in school?
The only book of its kind, this volume offers a sharp, lively, and provocative debate on the impact of feminism on men. Warren Farrell--an international best-selling author and leader in both the early women's and current men's movements--praises feminism for opening options for women but criticizes it for demonizing men, distorting data, and undervaluing the family. In response, James P. Sterba--an acclaimed philosopher and ardent advocate of feminism--maintains that the feminist movement gives a long-neglected voice to women in a male-dominated world and that men are not an oppressed gender in today's America. Their wide-ranging debate covers personal issues, from love, sex, dating, and rape to domestic violence, divorce, and child custody. Farrell and Sterba also look through their contrasting lenses at systemic issues, from the school system to the criminal justice system; from the media to the military; and from health care to the workplace.
A perfect book to get students thinking and debating, Does Feminism Discriminate Against Men? A Debate is ideal for courses in gender studies, sociology, psychology, economics, feminist philosophy, and contemporary moral issues. It is also compelling reading for anyone interested in the future of men and women.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #490183 in Books
• Published on: 2007-10-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 272 pages

Review

"Lucid in argument and presentation, beautifully organized, highly readable, very engaging, and well-documented. Both contributions to the volume are rich with examples, which are bound to speak to a very large spectrum of readers. The two pieces balance each other beautifully. I cannot think of anyone better qualified than these two writers to take on the tasks of presenting and examining critically these arguments. This is a book that I would seriously consider using in a course on contemporary moral issues."--Claudia Card, University of Wisconsin-Madison
"The relationship between men and feminism has never been addressed in such an exciting and accessible way, or with such extensive and engaging evidence and anecdotes."--Tom Digby, Springfield College
"Farrell contributes countless concrete examples, so that it is easy for the reader to understand his points. Sterba contributes a model of philosophical argumentation in action in the real world."--Alison Jaggar, University of Colorado at Boulder

About the Author
James P. Sterba is a Professor of Philosophy, University of Notre Dame

Customer Reviews

does feminism discriminate against men a debate
The book is described as a debate. This is not a debate. James Sterba has an overwhelming advantage because he scrutinizes Warren Farrell's claims without allowing Farrell a rebuttal. Nevertheless, Farrell writes in lucid, to-the-point style, while Sterba cherry picks Farrell's arguments for criticism. Sterba is one of those feminists who cannot fathom that there is any legitimate argument against feminist ideals. He is a follower of these ideals, but he seems to ignore reality. He brings to mind the mentality of a cult member: He will go to exhaustive and tedious lengths to disprove anything that contradicts his beliefs, and he seems to believe that society should take any precautions necessary to prevent any one female from any injustice no matter the expense of others and no matter how many males may suffer injustices because of it. Sterba couldn't possibly have a son nor could he possibly know any divorced fathers with vindictive ex-wives.

Absolutely the Best
This is absolutely the best book I've read for helping men and women better understand each other. To even suggest that feminism discriminates against men is heresy in some circles. If you're willing to leave your prejudged ideas at the door and step into a room of enlightening new thinking, you will find the experience opens your perceptions beyond anything you may have imagined.

In a world where debate is often a nice word for one side trashing the oppposition, you'll find Warren Farrell and James P. Sterba engaging in an unusual dialogue. They offer opposing ideas and they offer them with a great deal of respect for each other as well as the men and women on whose behalf they speak.

Truly the world needs more people who can discuss male/female differences with passion, spirit, integrity, and respect. Farrell and Sterba do a magnificent job. Farrell, in particular offers his ideas in such a unique and persuasive manner that even die-hard femininists can't help but expand their understanding of why men are the way they are.

The title is somewhat misleading and book cover didn't draw me in. There's a lot more to this book than a simple debate about feminism and men. This book is fun to read and offers more surprises per page than most million-seller mysteries.

Jed Diamond, author, Male Menopause & The Irritable Male Syndrome.

Ground-breaking and timely.
As a university lecturer who has taught and written on Equal Opportunities issues, this book is a welcome and overdue addition to the literature on gender relations and sex discrimination.

In this book, one of the foremost liberal thinkers in the men's movement for equality - Warren Farrell - pits his arguments against staunch defenders of feminism. Counter arguments are presented by James Sterba, with input from over a dozen established feminist academics.

The organisation of the book is excellent: both Farrell and Sterba use the same chapter titles to construct their arguments on key topics. This is a useful approach that enables both lecturer and student to study arguments and counter-arguments on a series of contentious issues. The writing style is accessible, and also supported with appropriate academic references.

The value of this book is that for three decades, a men's movement for sexual equality has been gathering and organising arguments for progressive change. In many cases, their arguments are an evolution of, rather than a challenge to, feminist ideas on equality that developed in the 1960s. Despite this, a power shift in the late 1960s radicalised the women's movement and debate shifted (unconsciously?) away from advancing "equal rights" to advancing "women's rights". Those who radicalised the feminist movement have blocked the dissemination of Farrell's work in the mass media (although he has been able to publish six books and develop a strong following for his work).

When I started presenting academic papers using Farrell's perspectives at conferences, it quickly beecame apparent that antipathy to Farrell's work was mostly based on prejudice and not careful reading of his work. This book is, therefore, ground-breaking as it marks a point where the men's movement equality arguments are considered serious enough to warrant serious discussion amongst contemporary feminists.

For those with an interest in philosophy, this book represents a stage in a Kuhnian paradigm shift (a stage where new theoretical arguments are becoming so influential that they can no longer be ignored or disparaged). For this reason, I encourage all lecturers with an interest in gender relations / social science to examine this book and consider its value as a core text to reinvigorate the teaching of gender relations.

Dr Rory Ridley-Duff
Senior Lecturer
Sheffield Hallam University