Does sexism against men exist? What it looks like and why we need to take it seriously This book draws attention to the "second sexism," where it exists, how it works and what it looks like, and responds to those who would deny that it exists. Challenging conventional ways of thinking, it examines controversial issues such as sex–based affirmative action, gender roles, and charges of anti–feminism. The book offers an academically rigorous argument in an accessible style, including the careful use of empirical data, and includes examples and engages in a discussion of how sex discrimination against men and boys also undermines the cause for female equality.
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“I recommend The Second Sexism to scholars who investigate gender relations, and I urge academic feminists to take Benatar’s thesis seriously and to respond to it with respect rather than with disbelief or derision.” ( American Philosophical Association′s Newsletter on Feminism and Philosophy , 1 May 2013) “This book simply must be read . . . . Highly, highly recommended.” ( Mens News Daily , 4 January 2013) “The Second Sexismis well researched, with voluminous references. As such, it serves the useful function of raising consciousness about an important social issue. Benatar’s research makes a strong case for an in–depth examination of the injustices and discriminations that men suffer in this and other societies in the 21st century.” ( PsycINFO/PsycCRITIQUES , 21 November 2012) “The Second Sexism is a strong and early step on the way to the awareness, amelioration, and treatment of a widespread and unaddressed problem that affects a not insignificant portion of the human population.” ( New Male Studies Review 3 , Jonathan Badiali′s , 26 September 2012) “Benatar’s analysis brings much needed clarity to contemporary debates in gender studies, whose discourse runs the risk of becoming stagnant and dogmatic against a constantly changing social backdrop. Benatar does well to remind us that it is not only females who are constrained and disadvantaged by the roles that they have been socially encouraged to take up.” ( New Male Studies Review 2 , J.P. Messina′s , 26 September 2012) “And now, thanks to Professor Benatar, we have an incisive, comprehensive discussion of the phenomenon that feminism has unwittingly brought to the forefront . . . The writing is jargon–free. As a philosopher, Professor Benatar is attentive to conceptual nuance and clear, precise usage.” ( New Male Studies Review 1 , Miles Groth′s , 26 September 2012) “This is a very well–argued book that presents an unorthodox thesis and defends it ably. It would be a useful text in both undergraduate and graduate courses in philosophy and gender studies, where it is certain to arouse a lot of discussion, much of it excited. Since it is very clearly written, and would be interesting and accessible also to the educated layperson. Most importantly, however, it is likely to change our understanding of gender relations.” ( Metapsychology , 21 August 2012)
Review
With clarity and cogency, The Second Sexism presents the first sustained philosophical examination of systematic discrimination against men. This is not part of a backlash against feminism; it is part of the next crucial step toward the construction of social arrangements that are fairer, more humane, and less restrictive of individual freedom. –Don Hubin, Ohio State University This book is as courageous as it is brilliant and as honest as it is thought provoking. The issue is not whether women have been wronged, but whether the responses to the wrongs against women have often resulted in there being wrongs against men. In quite surprising ways, David Benatar’s book is a wonderful reminder of the tremendous importance of John Stuart Mill’s distinction between “living truth” and “dead dogma”; for it is not at all a conceptual truth that the dogma of sexual inequality has been replaced by and only by living truth with respect to equality for all. Benatar is absolutely masterful—nay, majestic—in illustrating that reality. – Laurence Thomas, Syracuse University David Benatar once again enters the ethico–political debates of our time with his controversial argument about the neglected side of sexism—wrongful discrimination against men. Justice is never a zero–sum game to Benatar, and his well argued and thoughtful book makes a compelling case for taking seriously men′s hidden injuries if we are to genuinely build a better world. –Daphne Patai, University of Massachusetts
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16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By J Whitgift
Format:Paperback
The Second Sexism introduces and deals with the problem of anti-male sexism, a sexism he argues, that is as prevalent and as damaging as anti-female sexism. This second sexism, he argues, lies at the heart of most human cultures and means that whilst women have been able to take advantage of the development of female emancipation and feminism, men have consistently been discriminated against, a discrimination which has so far gone unacknowledged. (This discrimination anti-male includes, but is not confined to: the sometimes enforced militarisation of the male, whereas women are far less likely to be subject to conscription; the anti-male bias in Family Law; the fact that the vast majority of those incarcerated are male and the view that women are often treated more leniently than men by the courts system.) This discrimination, it is argued has profound implications for equality as an ethical principle and for the enaction of policies promoting female equality.
This is a highly interesting and relevant book, dealing with an unacknowledged problem within society; it therefore asks important questions about what we mean by equality and what limits are we willing to place on equality. Importantly it questions the philosophical principle held by some that those perceived as being powerful (in this instance males) cannot be discriminated - it will therefore come as a challenge to some, more radical feminists. This is not, however, an anti-feminist or anti-female book, neither is it a manifesto for groups like `Fathers for Justice' whose methods of protest and ethos are somewhat questionable.
It is not, however, an easy read; being both evidence based it does tend to repeat itself at times, but it also deals with the philosophy of anti-male discrimination.... Read more ›
This is a highly interesting and relevant book, dealing with an unacknowledged problem within society; it therefore asks important questions about what we mean by equality and what limits are we willing to place on equality. Importantly it questions the philosophical principle held by some that those perceived as being powerful (in this instance males) cannot be discriminated - it will therefore come as a challenge to some, more radical feminists. This is not, however, an anti-feminist or anti-female book, neither is it a manifesto for groups like `Fathers for Justice' whose methods of protest and ethos are somewhat questionable.
It is not, however, an easy read; being both evidence based it does tend to repeat itself at times, but it also deals with the philosophy of anti-male discrimination.... Read more ›
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.1 out of 5 stars
8 reviews
17 of 23 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A real breakthrough
12 Jun 2012
By rper1959
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
You are unlikely to find a more logical or concisely argued case for the existence of anti-male discrimination than Benatar's seminal work which is destined to become a classic in the gender studies literature. Indeed the widespread condemnation and derision directed at the the work by feminists commentators should alert the prospective purchaser to the power of this book.
Benatar has structured The Second Sexism to establish certain sequential aims. In the introduction he clearly defines the terms used and scope of his work, and contrasts alternate terminologies and meanings used elsewhere. For example whist everyone knows what we mean by sexism in common usage, academics define and apply the term in different ways. In Chapter 2 he presents the source data and describes the instances of male disadvantage he will later examine in more detail. Chapter 3 attempts to understand why these disadvantages have arisen, looking at beliefs, attitudes, biologic and social factors, whist chapter 4 seeks to determine if these examples of male disadvantage are due to unfair sex discrimination.
Importantly the 5th chapter is devoted to addressing the various objections likely to be raised by those who would deny or minimise the second sexism. With the final chapters tying everything together by pointing out how affirmative action rather then promoting gender equity now creates a new type of discrimination.
Benatar is not a social conservative arguing for a rollback of the progress made by feminism in improving women's equality of opportunity, nor does he deny that in many places in the world that the struggle for basic human rights must continue for women (and men). But he does argue that in highly feminised "western" liberal democracies, it is now time, if indeed we wish to move toward true gender equity to acknowledge the discrimination against men and aim to correct this as well as residual areas of discrimination against women, indeed in Benatars view, one cannot progress without the other.
Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in the gender debate.
Benatar has structured The Second Sexism to establish certain sequential aims. In the introduction he clearly defines the terms used and scope of his work, and contrasts alternate terminologies and meanings used elsewhere. For example whist everyone knows what we mean by sexism in common usage, academics define and apply the term in different ways. In Chapter 2 he presents the source data and describes the instances of male disadvantage he will later examine in more detail. Chapter 3 attempts to understand why these disadvantages have arisen, looking at beliefs, attitudes, biologic and social factors, whist chapter 4 seeks to determine if these examples of male disadvantage are due to unfair sex discrimination.
Importantly the 5th chapter is devoted to addressing the various objections likely to be raised by those who would deny or minimise the second sexism. With the final chapters tying everything together by pointing out how affirmative action rather then promoting gender equity now creates a new type of discrimination.
Benatar is not a social conservative arguing for a rollback of the progress made by feminism in improving women's equality of opportunity, nor does he deny that in many places in the world that the struggle for basic human rights must continue for women (and men). But he does argue that in highly feminised "western" liberal democracies, it is now time, if indeed we wish to move toward true gender equity to acknowledge the discrimination against men and aim to correct this as well as residual areas of discrimination against women, indeed in Benatars view, one cannot progress without the other.
Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in the gender debate.
21 of 29 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A work of compelling importance
25 May 2012
By Hu(man)
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a work of great significance. It traces the by now acknowledged systematic discrimination against boys and men that is fundamental to nearly every culture. In our time misandry has finally been named. That it is currently fostered by ideological feminism must bring shame to any followers of that religion, no less than to any other devotees of a religion that boldly supports prejudice against any group. Professor Benatar is a philosopher. This gives his arguments much needed clarity in a time when rhetoric and only the loudest voices generally gain a hearing. We must listen to what Freud called the "quiet voice of reason" in this most important volume. Not to do so is a moral failing among those who are aware of the topic of this investigation. Lives of boys and men are at stake.
15 of 21 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
EXCELLENT AND SORELY NEEDED
4 Jun 2012
By ActaNonVerba
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Informative. Difficult to read (as information documenting discrimination always is) but well written and necessary. Refusing to acknowledge, much less stand against, rampant misandry is society's collective shame. We can and should be better than that. Bravo.
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4.1 out of 5 stars
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