Behind the Mask: Destruction and Creativity in Women’s Aggression

By Dana Jack

The author explores the origins, meanings and forms of women's agression. Drawing from interviews with 60 women of different ages and ethnic and class backgrounds, police officers, substance abusers, artists, this work is an account of how women explain their own hidden or acts of hurt to others.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0674064852
• ISBN13: 9780674064850
• Release Date: November 1999
• Publisher: Harvard University Press
• Length: 332 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.8" x 1.3" x 6.5"

Customer Reviews

It's about time...

For many feminists, exploration of why women resort to the use of violence in relationships has been a taboo subject, a betrayal of women victimized by abusive partners. Ms. Jack sheds an insightful light where others fear to tread. She allows previously silenced voices to be heard. As a social worker who works with women who have used assaultive behavior, I've heard stories and tears similar to those of the women in BEHIND THE MASK. We focus on accountability for abusive behavior and build new problem solving skills to counteract the temptation to use violence. In order to be part of the solution, we must first recognize the dynamics that steer these women in a disasterous direction. In this book, Dana Crowley Jack helps us move toward peace and healthy connection.

This book is unique and important.

Dana Jack's BEHIND THE MASK remains extremely valuable for me personally and professionally. I am in my second reading and have already loaned it out twice. Women's voices tell their experience, thoughts and feelings surrounding aggression, anger, repression, creativity, power and lack of power. I recognized myself and was deeply touched as I heard my own conflicts and victories descibed. Professionally, I work with addicted women in a county jail. My own increased understanding and self-acceptance created an improved environment where the women I work with feel safe discussing their conflicts with being a "nice" "good" women while also being powerful, creative and, sometimes, violent. I cannot overstate the subtle power of this form of research. Ms. Jack gives women a voice and with great sensitivity brings the reader's attention to common themes. Western culture gives women extremely destructive messages about their power. We are punished for powerful expressions of self, whether expressed destructively, in self-defense or in acts of creation. BEHIND THE MASK brings IMPORTANT, NEW, HEALING insight to our lives as women.

Exploring Anger/Aggression

Finally, someone brave enough to unleash the bounds of women's anger and aggression. If you are a woman, you must read this book as it will uncover why you often internalize your anger and will offer you glimpses of others who do the same as well as others who operate outside of that norm. You will recognize yourself in the pages and realize you are not alone. You will also find hope in how to channel this natural and valid emotion into positive outlets, something we all need to learn but usually are not taught. This book validates women's experiences and sheds light and hope for women's growth. Dana Crowley Jack is a goddess.

This book changed my life.

I love this book. Jack's sensitivity is incredible; she explores feelings that I've never seen written on the page and it has helped me to better understand myself. I see myself in every page and bravo for her courage to write it.