Exposing Men
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Exposing Men examines how ideals of masculinity have long skewed our societal--and scientific--understanding of one of the pillars of male identity: reproductive health. Only with the recent public exposure of men's reproductive troubles has the health of the male body been thrown into question, and along with it deeper masculine ideals. Whereas once men's sexual and reproductive abilities were the most taboo of topics, today erectile dysfunction is a multi-billion dollar business, and magazine articles trumpet male reproductive decline with headlines such as "You're Half the Man Your Father Was." Cynthia R. Daniels casts a gimlet eye on our world of plummeting sperm counts, spiking reproductive cancers, sperm banks, and pharmacological cures for impotence in order to assess the true state of male health. What she finds is male reproductive systems damaged by toxins and war, and proof piling up that men through sperm, pass on harm to the children they father. Yet, despite the evidence that men's health, as much as women's, significantly affects the vitality of their offspring, Daniels also sees a society holding on to outdated assumptions, one in which men ignore blatant health risks as they struggle to live up to antiquated ideas of manliness.Reviews
"A valuable contribution to the nascent scholarship on male reproduction. Daniels has written a succinct and accessible book that should serve as a springboard for future studies on the topic. Although her target audience includes scholars, reproductive scientists, and policy makers, the book will certainly spur interesting discussions in graduate and advanced undergraduate seminars on the history of reproduction, sexuality, and health policy."--Journal of the History of Sexuality
"Provoking and surprisingly accessible despite the complexity of Daniel's ideas."--Sexuality Research & Social Policy
"A stunningly original approach to gender justice. With sober science and clear, vivid narrative, Daniels challenges our biological and political ideals of masculinity. A brilliant scientific expose in the service of humane politics, with a powerful message: Only through recognition of male vulnerability can gender justice be achieved."-- Deborah Stone, Research Professor of Government, Dartmouth College
"Announce a feminist book on reproductive health hazards, and it's a safe bet readers will expect an angry expose of threats to women's bodies and lives. If so, prepare to lose your wager while you gain wisdom and wonder. Stellar feminist theorist Cynthia Daniels forges boldly into the virgin and veiled political terrain of environmental and social hazards to men's reproductive health. A brilliant analysis of how the politics of masculinity thwart research, awareness and policy concerning increasing threats to male fertility, potency, and progeny."--Judith Stacey, Professor of Sociology, New York University
"Exposing Men presents a gripping account of how men's reproductive systems are just as harmed by environmental and industrial factors as are women's, ranging from low sperm counts to birth defects to sexual health. Arguing that men's position of social privilege often obscures the dangers to which they are subjected, Daniels makes a powerful case for rethinking how we see men's role in reproduction, sexuality, and masculinity. Everybody, male and female alike, who thinks that feminism is just about women-or just for women-should read this book."--Nancy Hirschmann, Professor of Political Science, University of Pennsylvania
"Cynthia Daniels has done civil society a rare service by uncovering the strength of the political constraints on our conceptualization of male reproductive health--and its consequences for men and the children they father. This book will stimulate a new debate on gender, health policy, and health politics."--Sue Tolleson-Rinehart, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
"Exposing Men condiders how prevailing ideals of masculinity have produced a skewed societal and scientific understanding of men's repoductive health."--Contemporary Sociology
About the Author(s)
Cynthia R. Daniels is Associate Professor of Political Science at Rutgers University. She is the author of At Women's Expense State Power and the Politics of Fetal Rights.
