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The Gender of Desire: Essays on Male Sexuality
Articles and essays on the construction of male sexuality by a pioneer in the field of masculinity studies.
Here, one of the world's pioneers in the field of masculinity studies explores the construction of male sexuality, pornography, and sexual violence. Michael S. Kimmel analyzes what male sexuality is, where it comes from, how it works, what affects it, pornography's impact on it, what fantasies men have about sex, what people think about sex, and how male ideas about sex affect what men actually do. Provocative and wide-ranging, these essays make important contributions to sociology, queer theory, American studies, history, and studies of gender, sexuality, and gay and lesbian issues.
"Michael Kimmel is our leading sociological student of how men's conduct is gendered. In this important and instructive collection of his essays, he directs his attention to the complex issue of how men’s sexuality is constructed and the consequences for the representation of the sexual, sexual identities and conduct, and violence in sexual relations. Kimmel considers these substantive issues taking perspectives that range from the personal, to the political, and to the academic. An intellectually provocative work that everyone interested in gender and sexuality should read." — John H. Gagnon, author of An Interpretation of Essays in the Study of Sexuality
Here, one of the world's pioneers in the field of masculinity studies explores the construction of male sexuality, pornography, and sexual violence. Michael S. Kimmel analyzes what male sexuality is, where it comes from, how it works, what affects it, pornography's impact on it, what fantasies men have about sex, what people think about sex, and how male ideas about sex affect what men actually do. Provocative and wide-ranging, these essays make important contributions to sociology, queer theory, American studies, history, and studies of gender, sexuality, and gay and lesbian issues.
"Michael Kimmel is our leading sociological student of how men's conduct is gendered. In this important and instructive collection of his essays, he directs his attention to the complex issue of how men’s sexuality is constructed and the consequences for the representation of the sexual, sexual identities and conduct, and violence in sexual relations. Kimmel considers these substantive issues taking perspectives that range from the personal, to the political, and to the academic. An intellectually provocative work that everyone interested in gender and sexuality should read." — John H. Gagnon, author of An Interpretation of Essays in the Study of Sexuality
288 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2005
About the author
Michael S. Kimmel
63 books194 followersMichael Scott Kimmel is an American sociologist, specializing in gender studies. He is among the leading researchers and writers on men and masculinity in the world today. The author or editor of more than twenty volumes, his books include The Politics of Manhood, and The History of Men (2005).
His documentary history, "Against the Tide: Pro-Feminist Men in the United States, 1776-1990" (Beacon, 1992), chronicled men who supported women’s equality since the founding of the country. His book, Manhood in America: A Cultural History (1996) was hailed as the definitive work on the subject. Reviewers called the book "wide-ranging, level headed, human and deeply interesting," "superb...thorough, impressive and fascinating."
His most recent book, Guyland: The Perilous World Where Boys Become Men (2008) is a best-selling investigation of young people’s lives today, based on interviews with more than 400 young men, ages 16-26. Feminist icon Gloria Steinem said that "Michael Kimmel's Guyland could save the humanity of many young men – and the sanity of their friends and parents."
Kimmel holds the position of Distinguished Professor of Sociology at the State University of New York at Stony Brook in New York, and is a spokesperson of NOMAS (The National Organization For Men Against Sexism).
He lives in Brooklyn, New York with his family.
His documentary history, "Against the Tide: Pro-Feminist Men in the United States, 1776-1990" (Beacon, 1992), chronicled men who supported women’s equality since the founding of the country. His book, Manhood in America: A Cultural History (1996) was hailed as the definitive work on the subject. Reviewers called the book "wide-ranging, level headed, human and deeply interesting," "superb...thorough, impressive and fascinating."
His most recent book, Guyland: The Perilous World Where Boys Become Men (2008) is a best-selling investigation of young people’s lives today, based on interviews with more than 400 young men, ages 16-26. Feminist icon Gloria Steinem said that "Michael Kimmel's Guyland could save the humanity of many young men – and the sanity of their friends and parents."
Kimmel holds the position of Distinguished Professor of Sociology at the State University of New York at Stony Brook in New York, and is a spokesperson of NOMAS (The National Organization For Men Against Sexism).
He lives in Brooklyn, New York with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 30, 2015
I really like many of the chapters in this book. Michael Kimmel's approach to gender and masculinity is easy to understand and easy to agree with. The book analyzes and separates the relation between sexuality and masculinity (or gender in general). It analyzes this relation first by the general construction of masculinity and sexuality, then a theoretical aspect (which includes a lot on pornography), and finally how that translates into actual behavior(gendered violence and homosexuality).
September 9, 2016
Insightful about the American ideals of masculinity and sexuality. Interesting read and I love the part in the beginning about his son and opposites :)
December 14, 2023
Its like a woman book, but for men...
would generally recommend for most anyone who comes into regular contact with male sexuality, be it one's own or one's partner. double points if both. a lot of "wow" and "yeah", usually in the same breath.
Unfortunately a little out of date, some of the phrases are silly, and queer (although not nessacarilly gay) culture has moved a little from what this book says. just a bit tho, and the book is still hella relevant.
would generally recommend for most anyone who comes into regular contact with male sexuality, be it one's own or one's partner. double points if both. a lot of "wow" and "yeah", usually in the same breath.
Unfortunately a little out of date, some of the phrases are silly, and queer (although not nessacarilly gay) culture has moved a little from what this book says. just a bit tho, and the book is still hella relevant.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews