Women's Realities, Women's Choices: An Introduction to Women's Studies

by Hunter College Women's Studies Collective, Ulku U. Bates, Florence L. Denmark

This landmark text introduces readers to the field of women's studies by analyzing the contradictions between social and cultural "givens" and the realities that women face in society. Written collectively by nine authors from various disciplines, Women's Realities, Women's Choices, Third
Edition, has been updated to incorporate the latest research and statistics in the field. Covering the most recent developments in politics, labor, family life, religion, and culture, the book also features extensive research on relevant social issues, such as the impact of the post-Soviet world on
women's lives, the experience of homosexuality in family life, and the effects of economic globalization on women worldwide.

This edition features a discussion of the cultural construction of women's bodies, the expectations of girlhood, new perspectives on women's partnering roles, and the serious health issues women face today. Boxes and pictures now contain more information on the current cultural scene, including
material on popular culture and women in music. Examining women as individuals, as family members, and as a force in the greater social fabric, Women's Realities, Women's Choices remains the most timely, comprehensive, and compelling introduction to the field of women's studies.

Genres: Womens Studies

496 pages, Paperback

First published October 13, 1983

Reviews

[Araminta Matthews]

This book is a fine "introduction" to women's studies, but it was frequently overly simplistic. I also caught several places that were culturally biased in one way or another. One memorable selection included commentary on the lens that breast-feeding is natural and that all women are equipped for this natural process. Having been a nursing mother, I am acutely familiar with how untrue that statement is. Additionally, much of the assumptions made about women in this book would benefit from updating to include cisgendered and transgendered lenses.

[Laura]

A decent intro-to women's studies book with too much (perhaps) focus on the 2nd wave and middle class white woman's experience. The history portion was amazing though.

[claire]

This is the textbook for my WS class, IF it gets its minimum enrollment. . . Regardless, it looks intereseting and I'm reading it.

[Carrie]

women's studies