`This book makes a major contribution to an issue of central concern to feminists. It is well written, thoroughly researched and thoughtfully argued. Wide-ranging and comprehensive in scope, the book is carefully structured, using different countries to illustrate the specific ways in which affirmative action is co-opted and contained in practice' - Jeanne Gregory, Middlesex University This timely and incisive book brings a theoretical lens to the debates around affirmative action. It presents a comparative analysis of those countries reputed to be leading the way in policies for women - the United States, Canada, Australia, Sweden, The Netherlands and Norway. Carol Lee Bacchi draws upon current social and feminist theory to present a lucid analysis of the implementation of reform. Taking account of the particular historical context of affirmative action policies, she considers why expressed commitment to affirmative action for women has failed to translate into meaningful reform. She describes how conceptual and identity categories are given meanings and positioned in debate in ways which work to contain the effects of the reform. Bacchi concludes that proponents of affirmative action need to direct more attention to the political uses of categories than to their abstract content, and to concentrate their efforts upon exposing the effects of category politics.
With the erosion in western society of the traditional code of masculinity and a move towards more balanced gender roles, male heterosexual development now faces a challenge. The Male Heterosexual explores biological, developmental psychological, sociocultural and historical perspectives of male sexuality. Larry A Morris deals with a range of issues surrounding male sexual development in a skilful and humorous manner. He concludes with a formula for cultivating healthy male sexuality.
The influence of race and gender on the health status of nonwhite women in the United States is the theme of this book. Four distinct groups of women are examined closely: African Americans; American Indians and Alaskan Natives; Asian/Pacific Islander Americans; and Latinas. Contributors focus in particular on structural and cultural factors which affect women's health issues. The concluding chapter calls for the development of new paradigms to improve the delivery of health care for these women and for the US population as a whole.
What happens in an electoral environment involving female candidates? Do women face different challenges during the electoral process? Do male candidates pay more attention to women's issues, or make other strategic and behavioural changes, when opposed by a female candidate? Richard Logan Fox asks these and other questions with compelling ......
This volume analyzes the ways in which gender is central to the occurence, detection and prevention of elder abuse. The authors demonstrate by their own research the gendered nature of elder abuse: most of the very elderly victims are women; women abuse women both in domestic and in institutional settings; significant number of older women are abused by sons; significant numbers of older men are abused by their female partners and by daughters; and abuse by non-relatives and non-carers of both sexes occurs. It considers why much of the research on elder abuse has failed to engage with these findings. The authors call for a reframing of the issue of elder abuse, specifically in professional guidelines for dealing with abuse should include gender awareness. They argue for elder abuse to be considered as a human rights issue rather than a private problem.
Women's Mental Disorders and the Battle between the Sexes
Since ancient times, physicians have believed that women are especially vulnerable to certain mental illnesses. Contemporary research confirms that women are indeed more susceptible than men to anxiety, depression, multiple personality, and eating disorders, and several forms of what used to be called hysteria. Why are these disorders more ......
The under-representation of women in educational administration is addressed in this book. The experiences of 15 female educational leaders in their quest for, ascent to and acquisition of leadership positions are described. Through their experiences, the administrators also offer advice to other women and men in the profession. Important themes emerging from the book include: women's lack of aspiration to administrative positions; cultural stereotypes regarding gender roles and leadership; and insufficient support systems for and among women in educational leadership.
Presents a comparative analysis of affirmative action in the countries reputed to be leading the way in politics for women and draws on current social and feminist theory to present a lucid analysis of the implementation of reform. Author from the University of Adelaide.
Lesbians, Gay Men, and Bisexuals in American Electoral Politics
In the quarter century since the Stonewall riots in New York City's Greenwich Village launched the national gay-rights movement in earnest, LGB voters have steadily expanded their political influence. The Lavender Vote is the first full- length examination of lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals as a factor in American elections. Mark Hertzog here ......
