Recreating Men

Book excerpt: One of the most central issues for women′s prospects for equality is whether man can and will change. Changing the social relations of gender will involve changing men′s subjectives as well as their daily practices. This book asks whether this is possible. Bob Pease examines how men, who are supportive of feminism, are responding to the feminist challenge, through an exploration of their experiences and dilemmas in trying to live out their feminist commitment and resist hegemonic forms of masculinity. The book is driven by practical as well as theoretical concerns, and aims to develop strategies that will promote the process of change towards equality in gender relations. Drawing on a critical postmodern theoretical framework, Pease argues that it is possible for men to reposition themselves in patriarchal discourses and to reformulate their interests in challenging gender domination. Recreating Men is an invaluable reading for academics and students of gender studies, and of interest to students of sociology, psychology and political sociology.