This valuable and unique reference surveys and synthesizes information on gender roles in more than thirty countries from around the world. Each chapter is devoted to a single country, and the chapters are arranged in alphabetical order for ease of use. All of the chapters are written from the perspective of experts who have lived and worked in the countries profiled. To foster cross-national comparisons, each chapter follows the same format, including an introduction and contextual overview; gender roles in infancy and childhood, school years, young adulthood, adulthood, and old age; and a summary and conclusions. The design of the chapters traces the development of gender roles across the life-cycle and affords an additional opportunity for comparing data. This reference will be of interest to anyone concerned with gender issues, psychology, sociology, and anthropology.

This book looks at representations of the male body, sexuality, and power in Mexican literature and the arts. The analysis includes literature, visual art, and cinema produced from the 1870s to the present, focusing on the Porfirian regime, the Post-revolutionary era, and the decadence of the revolutionary state and the emergence of the neo-liberal order in the 1980s to the present.

In this witty and provocative study of sex and marriage manuals, M.E. Melody and Linda M. Peterson reveal that permissiveness, prohibition, and, tellingly, persuasion and enforcement-from sermons and hellfire to mutilation and electroshock-have informed popular sex education over the past hundred and twenty years.

From the late Victorian obsession with masturbation and hygiene, to the "if it feels good, do it" ethos of "The Joy of Sex," America's disposition to sex has evolved from a general squeamishness to a veritable cult of mutual orgasm. But despite the recent emphasis on "voluptuous pleasure," the basic power dynamic underlying the discourse on sex has been remarkably resistant to change. The authors reveal that, even as sexual behavior changed during periods of upheaval, the prescriptive literature on sex has remained traditional at its core, promoting sex within marriage for the purpose of reproduction.

A cross-generational account of the major constructions of masculinity and femininity from 1880 to the present day, Teaching America About Sex serves up a lucid and entertaining reading of the twentieth century's vexed relationship with sex.

This is an exciting and innovative book which provides a thorough introduction to contemporary social theory by examining the way in which the widespread existence of violence against women is explained. A wide range of theories from liberalism to evolutionary psychology are considered culminating in the development of a distinctive feminist realist position. The theories discussed are tested against a large scale survey, the findings of which challenge many conventional wisdoms as to the patterning of violence in contemporary society.

Many researchers in recent years have begun to reflect on their gender identity and how this impacts on the research process and discuss how this helps build rapport with participants and creates successful or unsuccessful pieces of qualitative research. However, how does this intersect with other forms of identity, such as class, ethnicity, disability, age, sexuality? In this volume contributors explore these issues by reflecting on their own studies and research careers and address how important or unimportant gender has been in building research relationships. While the gender identity of the respondent/researcher relationship is undoubtedly important, what must also be acknowledged are the attributes which create a good fieldworker and competent social science researchers capable of understanding and engaging in different social situations and thought interaction with different participants.

While scholarship in lesbian/gay studies, queer studies, and studies of gender and sexuality has had an enormous impact on medieval studies, little attention has been paid thus far to women who chose to live according to same-sex affectivity and desire. General treatments of homosexuality in the Middle Ages have assumed that little can be said on the subject. The contributors explore the many ways that lesbian love and desire may have been articulated and represented in the medieval period.

This work presents a psychological analysis of the process of coming out for gay men in America since 1950. Koponen looks at the process as a series of steps in a hero's journey progressing from initial denial and anger to guilt, bargaining, and depression. The stages of acceptance and integration of a gay identity represent the goal of the quest. Providing the common ground on which to analyze the coming out process, Koponen uses gay male relationships portrayed in six important American novels--"Falconer" by John Cheever, "City of the Night by John Rechy," "Giovanni's Room" by James Baldwin, "The Beautiful Room Is Empty" by Edmund White, "Dancer from the Dance" by Andrew Holleran, and "Taking Care of Mrs. Carroll" by Paul Monette. This book not only is literary study, but also is intended to help gay men reflect on their shared lived experiences. Self-help exercises on identifying and examining the stages of coming out are provided throughout the analysis.

Modernity was critically important to the formation and evolution of landscape architecture, yet its histories in the discipline are still being written. This book looks closely at the work and influences of some of the least studied figures of the era: established and less well-known female landscape architects who pursued modernist ideals in their designs. The women discussed in this volume belong to the pioneering first two generations of professional landscape architects and were outstanding in the field. They not only developed notable practices but some also became leaders in landscape architectural education as the first professors in the discipline, or prolific lecturers and authors. As early professionals who navigated the world of a male-dominated intellectual and menial work force they were exponents of modernity. In addition, many personalities discussed in this volume were either figures of transition between tradition and modernism (like Silvia Crowe, Maria Teresa Parpagliolo), or they fully embraced and furthered the modernist agenda (like Rosa Kliass, Cornelia Oberlander). The chapters offer new perspectives and contribute to the development of a more balanced and integrated landscape architectural historiography of the twentieth century. Contributions come from practitioners and academics who discuss women based in USA, Canada, Brazil, New Zealand, South Africa, the former USSR, Sweden, Britain, Germany, Austria, France and Italy. Ideal reading for those studying landscape history, women's studies and cultural geography.

With retirement about to begin and RV traveling planned, author Beth Ana is dealing with sadness that sometimes overwhelms her. She wonders why. "What is wrong with me? I should be so excited and eager for this life to start " The inner voice of God that has led her for over forty-five years leads her now to return to the journals that were written over her married life. She is impressed with the knowledge that there is where she will find the answers and the help needed to bring her joy back. Not only is she to go back to the past, God also tells her to write the story about this journey. She rebels at that notion, for it means revisiting past hurts and struggles-and who wants to go back there. Plus, she wonders, "Just who would be interested in my life story?" God's reply-"Read the journals."

To her surprise, as she begins to start the journey back, she finds that indeed the roots causing her sadness are still buried within. To her added surprise, as she begins her RV travels, the entries of the past connect to the events occurring now, and God uses all to answer a prayer cried out two years into her marriage: "Do something about him; change him, change him like you did St. Paul."

God works in wondrous mysterious ways, and just how He changes Beth's life and marriage is-well, that is part of your "journey" as you read "My Journey--My Cross."

This literature review was undertaken in order to determine what caregivers needed to know about elderly sexuality, to determine the needs of elderly people related to their sexuality, and to determine how caregivers could best assist them in meeting those needs. In selecting materials to be annotated for this book, the first priority was given to empirical studies. Also included were articles by prominent practitioners and researchers interested in elderly sexuality, literature reviews, and books written for the lay population which are often cited in the professional literature. In addition to seeking knowledge about elderly sexuality and understanding attitudes about sexuality, this literature review sought information about measurement issues and measurement instruments frequently used in research within elderly populations. Also of interest were investigations of educational and training programs involving caregivers.

Masculinities in a Global Era extends the conversation of masculinity studies by analyzing global masculinities from a psychological perspective. Canvassing a broad array of psychological aspects such as the construction of identity, the negotiation of power, coping with trauma, and sexuality, this volume shows how masculinities are experienced, performed and embodied in geographically dispersed communities. Importantly, Masculinities in a Global Era fulfills a much-needed but elusive need within the study of masculinities: a forum in which the often polarized approaches of pro-feminists and men s rights advocates can begin to move beyond their entrenched historical positions towards a more fruitful and nuanced future.

Contrary to the negative assessments of the social order that have become prevalent in the media since 9/11, this wide-ranging collection of essays, mostly by social anthropologists, focuses instead on the enormous social creativity being invested as collective identities are reconfigured. Using fieldwork findings drawn from Africa, Asia, and Europe, special emphasis is placed on the reformulation of ethnic and gender relationships and identities in the cultural, social, political, and religious realms of public life. Under what circumstances does trust arise, paving the way for friendship, collegiality, knowledge creation, national unity, or emergence of leadership? How is social life constructed as a collective endeavour? Does the means towards sociability become its end? And what can be said about the agency and collegiality of women? The inspiration for examining these conundrums is the work and persona of Shirley Ardener, to whom the volume is dedicated. Contributors: Jonathan Benthall, Deborah Fahy Bryceson, Gina Buijs, Sandra Burman, Hilary Callan, Gaynor Cohen, Janette Davies, Tamara Dragadze, Ronnie Frankenberg, Peter Geschiere, Kirsten Hastrup, Paula Heinonen, Maria Jaschok, Grazyna Kubica, Rhian Loudon, Sharon Macdonald, Zdzislaw Mach, Fiona Moore, Judith Okely, Lidia D. Sciama, Shui Jingjun, Cecillie Swaisland, Jacqueline Waldren, Jonathan Webber.

America today is a hypersexual society. Sexual discourse, erotica, and pornography are pervasive in the culture. Sexual materials, many times extending into erotica and pornography, are found in the consumer world, academia, sex therapy, the publishing world, mass media (especially radio, television and movies) and the Internet. The sexual materials found in all these areas of American society provoke relentless opposition by groups and individuals who want to repress or censor sexual materials. The combined effects of those who promote and produce sexual materials, and those who try to supress them, add up to a cacophony of sexual discourse.

This ground-breaking volume explores the terrain of friendship against the historical backdrop of early modern Europe. In these thought-provoking essays the terms of friendship are explored - from the most intimate and erotically charged to the reciprocities of village life. This is a rich offering in social and cultural history that is attuned to the pervasive language of religion. A hidden history is revealed - of friendships that we have lost, and of friendships starkly, and movingly, familiar.

Political sociology has often left the discussion of collective political behavior to those working within a social movement framework. The politics of inequality and social division invoke important questions for political sociology. Many argue that at the heart of political sociology is the study of power differences and social inequality. This volume focuses upon how politics influences the patterns of social stratification and how the various inequalities in society affect politics. Inequalities of race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation are included at local, regional, national, and transnational levels. Several studies consider "hate groups" and victims of hate.
This collection of research serves as an example of aspects of social status, social class, and ideology connected to contemporary questions about "who wins" in struggles for civic, economic, and individual citizenship. Inequalities of race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation are studied at local, regional, national and transnational levels. Several articles consider "hate groups" and victims of hate. The politics of inequality are discussed in enduring theoretical frameworks and emerging literatures related to political groups and associations, the order of law and the state, social movements, and terrorism and violence. The authors hope that this volume will stimulate further work in the political sociology of social inequality.

The fall of communism in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe has affected nations throughout the world. This broad-based study examines how this major historical event has influenced the governments, societies, economies, and foreign relations of Asia. The work of 15 scholars is divided into three sections: Economic Development and Environmental Impact; Politics and Foreign Relations; and Social and Women's Issues. Chapters span the far reaches of Asia, from Japan to Pakistan, from China to the Philippines.

This first thorough interdisciplinary analysis concludes that nations such as Japan, India, and the Philippines have been less influenced than China, Korea, and Vietnam. In each case, while direct impact of the end of the Cold War has been minimal, there is strong evidence of more subtle effects. The breadth of the regional coverage and the diversity of the subject matter will interest scholars and researchers alike. The authors pose as many questions as they answer, and their conclusions are certain to stimulate debate.

"The Practice of Quixotism" models how to think simultaneously about postmodern theory and eighteenth-century texts. The postmodern claim that we encounter "reality" only through cultural scripts of which we are unaware has a long history: eighteenth-century writers thought about this same possibility with the help of quixote figures, who view the "real" through texts they have read. Focusing on unorthodox quixote narratives written by eighteenth-century women, many now popular in today's classroom, "The Practice of Quixotism" will fascinate readers interested in recent theory, in eighteenth-century culture, in eighteenth-century women writers--or in the descendants of Don Quixote, who celebrated his 400th birthday in 2005.

Queer exceptions is a study of contemporary solo performance in the UK and Western Europe that explores the contentious relationship between identity, individuality and neoliberalism. With diverse case studies featuring the work of La Ribot, David Hoyle, Oreet Ashery, Bridget Christie, Tanja Ostojic, Adrian Howells and Nassim Soleimanpour, the book examines the role of singular or 'exceptional' subjects in constructing and challenging assumed notions of communal sociability and togetherness, while drawing fresh insight from the fields of sociology, gender studies and political philosophy to reconsider theatre's attachment to singular lives and experiences. Framed by a detailed exploration of arts festivals as encapsulating the material, entrepreneurial circumstances of contemporary performance-making, this is the first major critical study of solo work since the millennium. -- .

This volume seeks to redress the balance of masculinity by examining the grammars of gender as these are acted out in the dialogues of Higher Education. Gender roles, whether of dominance or of marginality, are seen here as being negotiated simultaneously within texts and in the social performances of the classroom. Working through a number of short case studies, this book will be at once a contribution to the scholarship of teaching and to the debate on gender in culture.

Were David and Jonathan 'gay' lovers? This very modern question lies behind the recent explosion of studies of the David and Jonathan narrative. Interpreters differ in their assessment of whether 1 and 2 Samuel offer a positive portrayal of a homosexual relationship. Beneath the conflict of interpretations lies an ambiguous biblical text which has drawn generations of readers - from the redactors of the Hebrew text and the early translators to modern biblical scholars - to the task of resolving its possible meanings. What has not yet been fully explored is the place of David and Jonathan in the evolution of modern, Western understandings of same-sex relationships, in particular how the story of their relationship was read alongside classical narratives, such as those of Achilles and Patroclus, or Orestes and Pylades. The Love of David and Jonathan explores this context in detail to argue that the story of David and Jonathan was part of the process by which the modern idea of homosexuality itself emerged.

Over the past 20 years scholars, policymakers, and the media have increasingly recognized the links between both traditional and non-traditional security issues and the changing condition of the global environment. Concepts such as 'environmental security' and 'resource conflict' have been used to hint at these significant linkages. While there has been a good deal of scholarly work conducted that seeks to identify the ways that actors link these concepts, there has been little examination of the intersection between approaches to environmental security and gender. This book explores this intersection to provide an insight into the gendered nature of both global environmental politics and security studies. It examines how the issues of security and the environment are linked to theory and practice, and the extent to which gender informs these discussions. By adopting a feminist environmental security discourse, this book provides crucial redefinitions of key concepts and offers new insights into the ways we understand security-environment connections. Case studies evaluate if, and how, environment and security discourses are being used to understand a range of environmental issues, and how a feminist environmental security discourse contributes to our understanding of security-environment connections. This multidisciplinary volume draws on literature from the environmental sciences, security studies and sociology to highlight the complex human insecurities that often accompany environmental change. As conceptualizations of security continue to shift and broaden to include environmental issues and concerns, it is imperative that gender informs the debate.

After reviewing theories about how women are likely to fare as a result of economic development, the editors and their contributors focus on the socioeconomic status of women and changes in it as a result of processes of economic development in individual countries in five continents. Economic development is supposed to remove impediments to the improvement in women's status. In some developing countries researchers have found that instead of lessening the forces of restrictions, economic development may, in fact, have strengthened them. The editors call for a greater involvement of women as active participants in the process of dismantling social, legal, and institutional barriers to women's development.

While people used to conceal the fact that they were gay or lesbian to protect themselves from stigma and discrimination, it is now commonplace for people to "come out" and encourage others to do so as well. Come Out, Come Out, Whoever You Are systematically examines how coming out has moved beyond gay and lesbian rights groups and how different groups wrestle with the politics of coming out in their efforts to resist stigma and enact social change. It shows how different experiences and disparate risks of disclosure shape these groups' collective strategies. Through scores of interviews with LGBTQ+ people, undocumented immigrant youth, fat acceptance activists, Mormon fundamentalist polygamists, and sexual harassment lawyers and activists in the era of the #MeToo movement, Come Out, Come Out, Whoever You Are explains why so many different groups gravitate toward the term coming out. By focusing on the personal and political resonance of coming out, it provides a novel way to understand how identity politics work in America today.