The Macho Paradox: Why Some Men Hurt Women and and How All Men Can Help (Paperback)

by Jackson Katz (Author) "Most people think violence against women is a women's issue..." (more)
Key Phrases: African American, Marine Corps, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Katz is cofounder of the Mentors in Violence Prevention Program (MVP), and his focus is on prevention—his intended audience is not violent men who need help changing their ways, but all men, who, he says, have a role to play in preventing male violence against women. His basic assertion is that rape, battering, sexual abuse and harassment are so widespread that they must be viewed as a social problem rooted in our culture, not as the problem of troubled individuals. He urges men to directly confront the misogynistic attitudes and behavior of their peers. Some men may find Katz's advice occasionally baffling: he is full of directions about what not to do (such as paternalistic actions that deprive women of their autonomy). He wants to bring men into the larger discussion of pornography (which, he points out, has been dominated by women) and get them to look at its impact on themselves. Katz also presents eye-opening exercises and discussions from the MVP model that engender productive discussion among participants—usually high school or college students. If only men would read Katz's book, it could serve as a potent form of male consciousness-raising.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Katz, an antisexist male activist, repositions violence against women as a broader cultural issue, not just a women's issue. Arguing for a "far-reaching cultural revolution," Katz explores those aspects of American culture that promote violence against women, focusing separate chapters on pornography, prostitution, and other sex-related businesses as well as sexual violence in the military, the music industry, and athletics. He catalogs the troubling statistics regarding domestic violence, sexual harassment, and other acts of violence and hostility by men against women, but he is most powerful when detailing encounters with men and women speaking about their personal experiences. Based on his work with gender violence, the book also offers advice on how men can ally with women to curb violence and change those aspects of the "boys will be boys" attitude on male aggressiveness and masculinity that can lead to violence and abuse. This is a candid look at the cultural factors that lend themselves to tolerance of abuse and violence against women. Vanessa Bush
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc. (April 16, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402204019
• ISBN-13: 978-1402204012
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #27,718 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #16 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Mental Health > Abuse & Self Defense > Sexual Abuse
  #19 in	Books > Parenting & Families > Family Relationships > Dysfunctional Relationships
  #20 in	Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Gender Studies > Men

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great book on many levels, January 4, 2007

By	J. Moser "moserjos" (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is both accessible and sophisticated in its approach. It covers political and social issues and popular culture in great depth. However, Katz pitches his argument to the broadest possible audience; he almost never uses jargon. I used the introductory chapter in a classroom with both high school and college students, and they all responded to the piece with enthusiasm. Another aspect of the book that elevates it above many similar works is Katz's use of personal anecdotes from his career as an anti-sexist activist to illustrate his points. These stories not only help to ground the book in reality, but they make it clear that the author has tested his ideas in the field of deeds. He has constantly sought out new audiences and been challenged to refine his approach. He advocates for a very inclusive model of gender violence prevention. He wants us to be honest with ourselves and call "domestic violence" what it is--men's violence against women. However, he also makes it clear that viewing all men as potential perpetrators is not the answer. Rather, encouraging men to take the issue personally and own up to their social responsibility, while encouraging others to do the same, can make a huge difference. For anyone who would like to learn more about men's violence against women, or gender and society in general, this book is a great place to start.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great job, Jackson, April 1, 2006

By	206 (Seattle) - See all my reviews

I've always been a big fan of Jackson Katz' work and his latest book is no exception. This is a really accessible, well written, and thorough piece that takes a critical look at the hegemony in our society that makes violence against women by men, men's destructive and violent behavior become a culturally normal thing. Katz does an incredible job in piecing together his argument in a clear manner that doesn't alienate the audience..and in any sort of anti-violence work, that's a really difficult thing to do because the subject matter is such a serious and taboo one. I would highly recommend this book for any parent, any educator, anybody that wants to take proactive steps against men's violence in america and think critically about those issues. I would also suggest Jackson's video, the bible of any men's anti-violence work "Tough Guise" (www.mediaed.org). As a student in the women studies department at the University of Washington, I can say that Jackson's work is always highly respected and popular among the students and faculty.

Luke,
www.realmenarenot.com

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy this for the men in your life...., June 1, 2006

By	A Teacher (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

I wish I had 200 copies of this book. There are so many men I know that can find themselves depicted in Katz's clear and insightful reflections on male culture today. Why has the violence women suffer at the hands of some men been called a "woman's issue"? Where's the curiosity and creativity of more men when it comes to looking at why violence and sexual violence in particular are so epidemic? Or even, more dangerously, glamorized in aspects of the pornography industry? Forget "Pretty Woman" or "The Girl Next Door" and dive into real life. Katz has done his research and articulates a vision that should make every man stand up and collectively work to make this a world they are proud their daughters and sons will inherit. I really wish I had 200 copies....