Sex is a theoretical puzzle because it is much older than we
are. A primary fact of biology, sex has defined society from nearly
the beginning of life on earth, and as a result we cannot see its
effects in our lives in evolutionary comparisons with near primate
or mammalian relatives. Sex is a puzzle, too, because it is often
misconstrued in social science. It is not, as many social
scientists believe, a mere feature of a person, like hair or skin
color. Rather it is a part played in the life of the species. This
propensity to view sex as a personal feature has kept social
science from seeing how sex figures in the social life of the
species.
"Male and Female in Social Life" presents a theoretical
framework to describe how sex (the division of our species between
male and female) brings life and order to society. It argues that
sex is the mainspring of social life and it tells us the most about
social dynamics and forms. The book centers on five chapters that
describe four "moments" of human social life. Following an
introduction, chapter 2 begins with the first moment of social
life-"unity" of the species. Chapter 3 examines the second moment
of social life-"division" of the species. Chapter 4, citing play of
the sexes as the third moment, shows that sex is the main play of
the species and thereby the main basis of social life. Chapters 5
and 6 describe the fourth moment-"order" of the species, which
includes the most basic arrangements of human society, including
female mate choice, male contest, female care of the young,
sorority and fraternity, family and bureaucratic organization.
These later chapters present a three-part theory of social order
based on the play of the sexes, while then offering evidence in
support of this theory by showing how disruptions and distortions
in the play of the sexes in the recent history of the United States
have brought compensating changes in social life. The book
concludes with a summary of the book's main points and with
directions for further inquiry.
The volume raises thoughtful, long overdue questions about
current trends in our culture that minimize or efface sex
differences. It will be of interest to academics both in the social
sciences and in the humanities while at the same time appealing to
a more general audience.
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