Taking Sex Differences Seriously – Steven E. Rhoads
Are men and women fundamentally different, and if so, what does that mean for families, work and public policy? In Taking Sex Differences Seriously, Steven E. Rhoads, a professor of public policy at the University of Virginia, argues that differences between the sexes are real, significant and rooted in biology as well as culture.
Drawing on research from biology, psychology, sociology and economics, Rhoads examines differences between men and women in areas such as aggression, competitiveness, nurturing, risk taking, sexuality and attitudes toward relationships, work and family. He discusses the role of hormones and evolutionary history, and argues that many of these differences appear across cultures and persist despite social change.
Rhoads then considers the implications of these findings for a range of contemporary issues, including parenting and child care, marriage, workplace policies, education, sports and the military. He contends that policies and social expectations that ignore sex differences may lead to unintended consequences and unhappiness.
The book is written in an accessible style and has been both praised and strongly criticized. Many of its arguments are contested by researchers who emphasize the role of social and cultural factors, the overlap between individuals of different sexes and the wide variation within each sex.
Taking Sex Differences Seriously will interest readers of social science, psychology and public policy who want to engage with one side of an ongoing debate. Readers may wish to consult a range of perspectives on the research it discusses.
Valoraciones
No hay valoraciones aún.