Myth of Women'S Masochism [Paperback]

Paula J Caplan (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Caplan, a Canadian clinical and research psychologist, focuses on the ``most salient phenomena that have been mistakenly labeled as signs of women's masochism.'' She explores these behaviors and suggests interpretations other than masochism through a review of the literature, anecdotes, and interviews. Caplan's purpose is to put ``a halt to the labeling of women as naturally, inevitably masochistic.'' She also presents a good review of the psychoanalytic basis for these myths. Areas covered include work, women's relationships with men, women as victims of violence, and therapy. There are extensive bibliographical notes. An important addition for psychology of women collections. Susan McBride, Northeast Texas Community Coll. LRC, Mt. Pleasant
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Paula J. Caplan, a clinical and research psychologist, is author of 11 books, including Don’t Blame Mother, They Say You’re Crazy: How the World’s Most Powerful Psychiatrists Decide Who’s Normal, Lifting a Ton of Feathers, and (co-author) Thinking Critically About Research on Sex and Gender. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division; 2 edition (December 8, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802077455
• ISBN-13: 978-0802077455
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,320,288 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book will change your life, December 20, 2001

By 

Charlotte Kingsley (Cambridge, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Myth of Women's Masochism: 2 (Hardcover)

The Myth of Women's Masochism shouldn't be needed any longer, but it is badly needed, and it is important and life-changing, because far too many people still believe that women actually love to suffer. Caplan makes the case with tremendous clarity and compelling stories that women's unhappiness gets blamed on their (actually non-existent) masochism, and the results are that women regard themselves as sick and helpless, and no one looks at the real causes of women's unhappiness. Over the many years since this classic was published, I have bought the books in quantity and sent them to friends and family. It's remarkable how many of them have contacted me later to tell me that they read the book and then were able to leave an abusive relationship or a horrendous job situation.
If people would read this book and learn from it, it would revolutionize the ways women, men, and therapists think about what makes women's lives difficult and what could be done about it.
Every word Caplan writes rings true and is vivid and clear.