Masculine Domination

by Pierre Bourdieu

Book Overview

Masculine domination is so anchored in our social practices and our unconscious that we hardly perceive it; it is so much in line with our expectations that we find it difficult to call into question. Pierre Bourdieu's analysis of Kabyle society provides instruments to help us understand the most concealed aspects of the relations between the sexes in our own societies, and to break the bonds of deceptive familiarity that tie us to our own tradition...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0804738203
• ISBN13: 9780804738200
• Release Date: April 2002
• Publisher: Stanford University Press
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.9" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Review Masculine Domination

I was pleased with the price and condition of the item. I read it for a class for school. It was difficult to understand until the professor discussed it with the class. Really good and valuable book for anyone to read.

Readiocity in eye of interpreter not interpretant

Despite the interesting nature of the book, much of the power of the book is lost in translation. English is not French and the sexism blatantly apparent in French is nuetered by the nature of English. Even so, considering a book unreadable is more a critique of the reader than the book even if the reader states their true opinion of the book. That's pretty obvious isn't it? One fun thing with this book is the frequency PB's comments are a reflection on the language he is using and since the English has different characteristics than the French the points miss their mark. But this brings up the question, has feminism been more successful in English speaking countries precisely because English uses neuter for most nouns? If PB is right about French, then what does that say about English? German? Spanish? Reading this book makes more sense when you are familiar with the French or can at least realize in French the self-referential nature of many of the points make sense while simply being baffling in English.

Great analysis of the way things are

Bourdieu presents a wonderful analysis of the way our culture is currently shaped in terms of gender roles. He also presents a few ideas on how we can work to change the society we live in, and who has the most ability to do this. Despite what the other reviews say, the language is a little weighty, but understandable. Overall a great read.

high powered thinking

bourdieu applies his theoretical toolkit to one more field, and, as the hateful reactions of other reviewers testify, it hurts. this is indeed not talk radio and you will need to gather some philosophical/sociological resources to follow bourdieu, but it is completely worth it. in a small book, the foundations are laid of a systematic exploration of gender as a locus of symbolic domination.here is to hoping bourdieu's numerous students will build on these foundations.