Sex, Gender and SocietyWhat are the differences between the sexes? That is the question that Ann Oakley set out to answer in this pioneering study, now established as a classic in the field. To answer it she draws on the evidence of biology, anthropology, sociology and the study of animal behaviour to cut through popular myths and reach the underlying truth. She demonstrates conclusively that men and women are not two separate groups: rather each individual takes his or her place on a continuous scale. She shows how different societies define masculinity and femininity in different and even opposite ways, and discusses how far observable differences are based on biology and psychology and how far on cultural conditioning. Many books have discussed these vital issues. None, however, have drawn on such an impressively wide range of evidence or discussed it with such clarity and authority. Now newly reissued with a substantial introduction which highlights its continuing relevance, this work will continue to inform and shape dialogues around sex and gender for a new generation of scholars and students. |
Contents
Introduction to 1972 Edition | |
Sex and Personality | |
Sex and Intellect | |
Sexuality | |
Sex and Social Role | |
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Common terms and phrases
ability activity adolescent adult androgen Arapesh ªsex ªthe babies biological sex birth boys and girls brain cent Chapter characteristics child childhood chromosome correlated crime culture delinquency disorders division of labour domestic economic emotional evidence fact factors father female hormones female«s function Gender and Society gender identity gender roles genetic genital gonads Haec-Vir homosexuality human identification intellectual achievement intercourse intersexed John Money London Maccoby male and female male hormones male or female male«s Margaret Mead marriage masculinity and femininity Masters and Johnson maternal Mbuti Money motherhood mothers normal occupations oestrogen parents patterns penis personality physical political pregnancy Press Psychology puberty reared relationship reproductive sample sex and gender sex differences sex differentiation sex hormones sex of rearing sex roles sexual behaviour sexual response social role Stoller suggests suicide tend tendency theory toys transsexuals Trobrianders woman women women«s X chromosome York