Encyclopedia of Gender and Society

Editor/Author: O'Brien, Jodi
Publication Year: 2009
Publisher: Sage Publications

ISBN: 978-1-4129-0916-7
Category: social sciences
Image Count: 3
Book Status: Available

The Encyclopedia of Gender and Society covers the major theories, research, people, and issues in contemporary gender studies. This comprehensive encyclopedia is distinguished by a cross-national/cross-cultural perspective that provides comparative analyses of the life experiences of men and women around the world.

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This encyclopedia is a scholarly, entertaining, and highly readable reference work. Editor O'Brien (Seattle Univ.) provides readers with a "gender lens" on society, while emphasizing both individual and global aspects of social life. Entries, written by gender scholars across the US and abroad, are organized in 14 categories: "Arts, Popular Culture, and Sports," "Associations and Organizations," "Biographies," "Body Image, Health and Illness," "Crime and Criminal Justice," "Economics, Environment, and Ecology," "Gender Identities and Roles," "International Development and Human Rights," "Politics, Public Policy, and Social Movements," "Race and Ethnicity," "Relationships, Marriage, and the Family," "Religion, Mythology, and Spirituality," "Science, Research, Education, and Technology," and "Sexuality and Reproduction." Individual entries are as diverse as "Superheroes," "Misogyny," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Sperm Donors," "Feminist Bioethics," "Hip Hop," and "Chastity," and are presented with up-to-date analysis and discussion. Longer, framing essays are incorporated to provide overviews of broader topics and directions for research. The set includes a comprehensive index. This important interdisciplinary work will add value and interest to any reference collection.
S. Markgren
Purchase College, SUNY
Alpha males, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, "Personal is Political," quilting, and Sojourner Truth-these topics and more are covered in the Encyclopedia of Gender and Society. This comprehensive two-volume encyclopedia covers the major theories, research, and issues in contemporary gender studies, providing comparative analysis of the experiences of men and women around the world. Editor Jodi O'Brien, Chair of the Department of Anthropology and Sociology at Seattle University, assembled 300 international experts in the field to write more than 500 entries.Offering current scholarship in contemporary gender studies ranging from individual to global issues, the encyclopedia demonstrates how gender shapes our lives, cultural beliefs, and social and economic organization. Rather than covering all gender topics, the encyclopedia provides a lens on recognized areas of social research. Well-trodden issues, like Barbie, body politics, and patriarchy, and relatively new aspects of globalization, like microlending and maquiladoras, receive cutting-edge theoretical treatment. Topics include crime and criminal justice; economics, international development, and human rights; religion; and science and technology. Entries range from about 600 to 2,000 words, with related entries, further readings, and Websites noted. Entries are listed alphabetically and by theme, and an index completes both volumes. Several longer framing essays provide an overview of contemporary research. Addressing complex gender topics, the Encyclopedia of Gender and Society is a cohesive, usable reference source for both public and academic libraries and is well worth its high price.
Margot Note
Information Manager andArchivist, World Monuments Fund, New York