Mother Nature: A History of Mothers, Infants, and Natural Selection

Amazon.com

Mother Nature: A History of Mothers, Infants, and Natural Selection should be required reading for anyone who happens to be a human being. In it, Hrdy reveals the motivations behind some of our most primal and hotly contested behavioral patterns--those concerning gender roles, mate choice, sex, reproduction, and parenting--and the ideas and institutions that have grown up around them. She unblinkingly examines and illuminates such difficult subjects as control of reproductive rights, infanticide, "mother love," and maternal ambition with its ever-contested companions: child care and the limits of maternal responsibility. Without ever denying personal accountability, she points out that many of the patterns of abuse and neglect that we see in cultures around the world (including, of course, our own) are neither unpredictable nor maladaptive in evolutionary terms. "Mother" Nature, as she points out, is not particularly concerned with what we call "morality." The philosophical and political implications of our own deeply-rooted behaviors are for us to determine--which can be done all the better with the kind of understanding gleaned from this exhaustive work.

Hrdy's passion for this material is evident, and she is deeply aware of the personal stake she has here as a woman, a mother, and a professional. This highly accomplished author relies on her own extensive research background as well as the works of others in multiple disciplines (anthropology, primatology, sociobiology, psychology, and even literature). Despite the exhaustive documentation given to her conclusions (as witness the 140-plus-page notes and bibliography sections), the book unfolds in an exceptionally lucid, readable, and often humorous manner. It is a truly compelling read, highly recommended. --Katherine Ferguson

Book Description

We are tempted to think of maternal instinct as a quality a woman has or lacks. But the belief that mothers instinctively nurture their offspring--one of the West's most cherished ideals and a view widely accepted even in scientific circles--has become increasingly controversial. Mother Nature presents a radical new way of understanding how mothers act and why, and how this new understanding is changing the way scientists think about how evolution works.

Drawing on anthropology, history, literature, developmental psychology, and animal behavior, Sarah Hrdy examines the distinct biological and genetic elements that constitute maternal instinct. She strips away the biases implicit in conventional stereotypes of female nature to give us very different and provocative perspectives on maternal ambivalence, the links between maturity and ambition, mother love and sexual love, and why age-old tensions between the sexes persist--and are being played out today in efforts to control women's reproductive choices.

Combining decades of research with her own experience as a mother, Hrdy makes clear in this remarkable book what it means--from a historical and evolutionary perspective--to be a mother and explains how this knowledge has transformed our understanding of human development and behavior.

Customer Reviews:

A Triumph!.......2007-05-13

Utterly fascinating and, when it comes to understanding what makes human beings tick, is of greater reality, to my mind, than the phantasmagorical reaches of psychoanalysis, and more fundamental. Painstakingly researched. A scholarly book written in an accessible and engaging style.

Must-read for any woman or parent (especially working moms!).......2005-11-18

I find myself raving about this book to every woman (and man) I know. This is the most astounding and thought-provoking book I've read in recent years. Professor Hrdy is an emeritus professor of anthropology at UC Davis who puts the behavior of mothers and infants into an evolutionary context, using a comparative approach and drawing from sociobiology, anthropology, and psychology. I enjoyed this book from my perspectives as a student who did doctoral research in behavioral ecology; as a scientist who's tired of the superficial stereotype of instinctive, selfless maternal devotion; and most profoundly as a mother who's trying somehow to balance the equation of doing good for my family, myself, and the world as an ecologist with a conservation group. I appreciated the fact that she did not just rely on her own research on langur monkeys, but extensively reviewed other studies (and pointed out the dearth of studies that challenge societal assumptions that all mothers should care for every infant under any circumstance). She also entertains different hypotheses instead of just staking out a prescription based on an idealized version from one point in human evolutionary history (i.e. romanticizing hunter-gatherer societies), as seen in anthropologist Meredith Small's "Our Babies, Ourselves", which is also a wonderful book, but lacks the breadth of Hrdy's scholarship.

I frequently read this book as I rocked and nursed my infant son, which made everything more vivid to me. Hrdy writes with grace and humor about topics such as the origins of lactation (the rapture and thrall of oxytocin), the sensual (and hormonal) appeal of infants (so luscious you want to eat `em up). I was fascinated by the many ways that mothers seek to secure resources for their children (such as the tradition of godparents, or women's "unnatural" ambitions in the workplace). But reading the tragic chapters in European history of unsuccessful wet-nursing and wholescale infant abandonment while nursing my baby was almost more than I could bear.

One theme Hrdy reiterates throughout the book is how mothers throughout history forge workable compromises between infant needs and maternal ambition. She shares her experiences as a mother and scientist, and reflections from other women in the field. I found myself cheering "Yes!" in her final chapters, when she steers the debate of working mothers away from the gender politics of "Is it bad for infants when mothers work?" to the more critical question "How can we ensure that infants are cared for as lovingly and securely as kin?" whether that's by the mother or 'allomothers' [relatives or helpers who care like mothers]. "All early caregivers become the emotional equivalents of kin. Any caretaker is capable of communicating the message infants desperately seek - `You are wanted and will not be set aside'. (p. 509)" While the mother is uniquely equipped to meet that need, with her physical contact, her scent, her milk, she's not the only one who can answer when an infant seeks "the meeting eyes of love." Hrdy has written a passionate and scholarly book that is both an engaging read as well as a profoundly enlightening look into human nature. I cannot recommend this more highly.

A must read for any evolutionary psychologist.......2004-02-20

So many great little factoids. My favorite topics include family planning (abortion, infanticide), maternal bonding, the adaptiveness of menopause, females in social structure, and lots of other tidbits I wish more authors would cover. The most fascinating thing is that these topics come up in the animal kingdom, not just with us.

Only complaint might be that it's a dense read, and doesn't have a nice "backdrop" to organize it like Robert Wright's books (which I highly recommend). For this reason, you might need to read it twice to get everything. The facts themselves are tremendous, however. This book illustrates many more complexities about females that her male contemporaries might gloss over. Hrdy offers balance to anyone who's read other books on the same topic -- albeit great ones -- by male authors. (Come on, they can't help it.)

One more interesting thing that Hrdy adds is that science in her field is limited because neither feminists nor conservatives want to explore the evolutionary basis of womanhood. For conservatives, they know they are baby machines. For feminists, all that matters is that women are now free. Hrdy takes issue with both camps.

Evolution from a female viewpoint.......2003-11-13

This is a fascinating look at evolution with particular reference to the female of the species. Packed with fascinating information about female behaviour through the ages. Descriptions of life among hunter-gatherer groups are particularly interesting. Subjects like infanticide, wetnursing, abandonment of infants, etc are gone into in great detail. I learnt a lot from this book. I particularly enjoyed the splendidly bloodthirsty lullabye from the Napoleonic era printed at the end of this book, my children love it. One small complaint, at one point in this book Ms. Hrdy compares housewives to laboratory rats. Now, I am used to the abuse routinely heaped on housewives, but this is really going a little too far. The big difference between a laboratory rat and a housewife is that I, a housewife, can leave my house any time I like (maybe it's different in America, perhaps housewives are kept locked up there, I don't know), and I frequently do. i have alot more freedom of movement than I would if I were, say, stuck in an office all day long. I quite accept Ms. Hardy' point that children do not have to be cared for full-time by their mothers, but it would be nice if she could refrain from abusing those of us who actually enjoy being full-time carers.

An Honest Search For Truth.......2003-07-01

Biology has an agenda. Squirrels, whales, and crickets do not have our language facility, thus they do not have self-help books, preachers, or legions of well-meaning advisors. Yet they are born with the genetically provided rules (feelings) that allow them to be successful squirrels, wonderful whales, and competent crickets. We too have genetically provided rules, which sociobiologists and such are trying to discover. This wonderful book is the author's attempt to explain some of the conditions of motherhood, the relations between mothers and babies, and sometimes tough choices mothers have to make. This work is, in my opinion, magnificent.

Book Description

Biology textbooks and books on the history of science generally give a limited picture of the roles women have played in the growth and development of the biological sciences, mentioning primarily the Nobel laureates. This book provides a definitive archival collection of essays on a larger group of women, profiling both their work and their lives. The volume includes 65 representative women from different countries and eras, and from as many branches of biological investigation as possible. In addition to biographical information and an evaluation of the woman's career and significance, each entry provides a full bibliographic listing of works by and about the subject. The volume includes entries on women who have gained recognition through attainment of advanced degrees despite familial and societal pressures, innovative research results, influence exerted in teaching and guidance of students, active participation and leadership in professional societies, extensive scholarly publication, participation on journal editorial boards, extensive field experience, and influence on public and political scientific policymaking. A woman was considered eligible for inclusion if she met several of these criteria. Providing a historical perspective, the book is limited to women who were born before 1930 or are deceased.

Sex on the Brain: The Biological Differences Between Men and Women

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Definitely not a tight plot
dont let this one be your first read
Journalistic not scientific
sex on whose brain?
Tedious

Sex on the Brain: The Biological Differences Between Men and Women
Deborah Blum
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0140263489

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For centuries, links between biology and behavior have been mined for ammunition in the gender wars. Western science has often tainted the discussion by skewing the norm toward men so that the biological underpinnings of their weaknesses and strengths are applauded while those of women are denigrated. Sex on the Brain is a chatty, fairly evenhanded report on a broad range of animal and human studies intended to provide insight into hot-button issues such as aggression, nurturing behavior, infidelity, homosexuality, hormonal drives, and sexual signals. According to one researcher, "We inherit the behavior essentially of our past." Morning sickness, for example, which steers some women away from strong tastes and smells, may once have protected babes in utero from toxic items. Infidelity is a way for men to ensure genetic immortality. Interestingly, when we deliberately change sex-role behavior--say men become more nurturing or women more aggressive--our hormones and even our brains respond by changing, too.

Book Description

Go beyond the headlines and the hype to get the newest findings in the burgeoning field of gender studies. Drawing on disciplines that include evolutionary science, anthropology, animal behavior, neuroscience, psychology, and endocrinology, Deborah Blum explores matters ranging from the link between immunology and sex to male/female gossip styles. The results are intriguing, startling, and often very amusing. For instance, did you know that. . .
*Male testosterone levels drop in happy marriages; scientists speculate that women may use monogamy to control male behavior
*Young female children who are in day-care are apt to be more secure than those kept at home; young male children less so
*Anthropologists classify Western societies as "mildly polygamous" The Los Angeles Times has called Sex on the Brain "superbly crafted science writing, graced by unusual compassion, wit, and intelligence, that forms an important addition to the literature of gender studies."

Customer Reviews:

Definitely not a tight plot.......2005-06-26

Deborah Blum was "raised in one of those university-based, liberal-elite families" and as such, was raised to believe that there were no differences between men and women. It wasn't until she had her own career, a husband, and two boys that she actually realized there were basic biological differences between male and female behaviour. Her son was playing dinosaur and "I looked down at him one day as he was snarling around my feet and doing his toddler best to gnaw off my right leg, and I thought, This is not a girl thing-- this goes deeper than culture."

So begins her book. Much of the evidence that is presented is done as studies of sex in other animals (the birds and the monkeys- yes, literally) and her lines of reasoning as to "how this happened" are based along lines of possible biological evolutional forces- things that she admits are really little more than educated guesses dressed up as theories.

The chapter on the differences between male and female brains was interesting in that she spent about 90% of the time either denying the validity of the studies or minimizing the verified physical results. (Sure, that spot is bigger, but we don't know that it does anything.)

Occasionally, you come across a gem of the absurd. This one is a good example:

"One leading French scientist of the nineteenth century sought to prove the existence and potency of this magical male stuff [testosterone] by injecting himself with pureed dog testes. He insisted that the extract boosted his energy and sex drive and enabled him to pee in a higher arc, a major issue for men, obviously, in contrast to women." (pg. 158, beginning of chapter six)

She is quite open and forthright about her own left of center feminist viewpoint on the whole subject, and freely gives her opinion on what she WANTS to be true (and making it clear that it IS her opinion).

One basic concept to follow underneath it all is that if evolution has made us "this way" (biologically), there is no reason to conclude that it has stopped now... and since we have the ability to change our culture, we may tap into evolutionary pressures to change the biology of our race in regards to the basic makeup of our sexes. At the end of the book, she admits she has no idea if this is really possible, but it's obvious that she feels it certainly ought to be. Given her basic premises, it is a logical conclusion. If you look at the past as having created this current biology from something else, why should the process stop now?

But to sum it up, I have to agree with the comments about tediousness, in particular towards the end. The last third or so of the book was read simply so I could be satisfied that I had read it, not because it still had my riveted and interested attention. It would have benefited either from a better organization of the material into a coherent overall development (aka a plot, if this were fiction) or of simply dropping the last third of the book.

dont let this one be your first read.......2005-06-04

Having read six books on this exact subject in the past week, I feel information is poorly presented in this one. Sometimes misleading, and sometimes even contradictory.

I highly suggest that you read other books and/or papers on the subject before braving this one. Even then, take this read with a grain of agenda-salt.

Journalistic not scientific.......2005-03-11

Blum's style is horrendous. She traipses from one anecdote about her son to the findings of scientists she has interviewed without the blink of an eye. She does not so much advance arguments or conclusions as much as merely advance dumbed-down versions of scientific studies. Matters such as which questions underlie the research and what the research reveals are interspersed with bad puns and Blum's own opinion as to whether something is insulting or disgusting. Her attempts to lighten the fare are patronizing and distracting.

She wrote way too much about non-humans. This or that primate species is simply not the human species. The differences between them are so great that their relevance for the human species does not seem to be established.

Most of the research she chose was physiological, behavioral, and anthropological. Evolutionary biology (a.k.a. sociobiology) gets only occasional treatment, despite its recent progress in explaining male and female differences.

Note also that the book was published in 1997. I write in 2005, so the book is eight years old. Try to find something more up to date on the subject.

Overall, the book's faults can most easily be attributed to the fact that the author is a journalist and not a scientist. She sarificed too much to appealing to the general readership and is not well-schooled in the science of human sex differences herself.

sex on whose brain?.......2005-02-07

I gave this one one star, but it might rate two. If you're looking for a chatty, rambling, disorganized treatise on gender and biology, and think that you can really learn something valuable about humans from the animal kingdom, then this book is for you. I bought this book because I thought it was going to be about the brain. It's more about gender behavior. You're left to draw you own concllusions about what's going on in the brain. There's gotta be a better book than this.

Tedious.......2004-05-18

It as only recently I was aware that Deborah Blum had written a book called the Monkey Wars, about the animal rights/ vivisectionist's debate. I was not aware of that previous book whist I was reading this one. But it comes to no surprise, that her obvious slant or justification would be on the vivisectionist side. Again I read Sex on The Brain without any prior knowledge of her other writings. The first three chapters relating to hormonal, and testosterone and oestrogen studies, and female male brain size - involved nearly every page describing how cats, monkeys, and rodents had been sliced up, been castrated, cells extracted, brought up in cruel studies (ie cat forced to never see daylight). To access a possible link to human equivalent mind and hormonal changes, ie brain size observation, and testosterone and hormonal levels changes. But as any advocate of valid and proper testing would argue, that animal testing is unnecessary and cruel and non conclusive. Within the first two chapters from pages 18 to 63, she trys to convince the reader that there is some validity in accessing mood changes and brain changes from animal testing (and applying to human brains) - but fails to but conclude the chapter with, and I quote " The contrast (human brains) are too tiny and still far too mysterious". Point one for anti vivisectionist's argument

Sex on the Brain is a tedious book, with an arduous writing style. There are however some interesting points raised in the book, regarding male aggression, risk taking and cognitive skills of both men and women. Unfortunately they end up contradiction each other. Yes men are aggressive due to high levels of testosterone, but female chimpanzees are just as aggressive. Deborah Blum doesn't really explain in detail the correlation to human aggression, and why men and women share similarities.
I found segments in the book that talked about risk taking and why men and women are different in that sense, but it came across in somewhat of sexist overtone. That men take unnecessary risks and women sit and ponder a collective solution - which is? Never explained in any biological sense. The questions would be asked, why do huge portions of women smoke cigarettes, and take unnecessary risks to their own health. How does it differ from male posturing in regards to male personal risk, ie drinking, excess etc. Or biologically does it assume that we take the risk to show some social adequacy?

Also other confusing segments in the book regarding male female attraction, eg women choose men on immune systems similar to them, through possible similarities in appearance. Yet early stages in the book describe how it would be wise for a evolving specie (humans) to mix up their genes, to create stronger offspring. Indifference, not a similarity. So what is it?
Sex on Brain also doesn't go into enough detail research on cultural influence and evolution, in which cultural influence has far out weighed evolution biology, consider the declining western birth rates, women are now having children into their 30's, increasing the risk of down syndrome.

Book Description

A lively collection of true tales that illuminate and celebrate lesbian parenting from the nonbiological mother's perspective

Customer Reviews:

Great for "other mothers" out there..........2007-10-03

Very easy to read. Nice glimpses of a variety of moms (and babas) and how they fit in their roles and how families come together to make it work. As a future "other mom," I found this really helpful and validating.

The other mother needs to read these!.......2007-07-08

We have read them together and it was helpful to start discussions about some of our fears for our family!

Not Just For The Other Mother!.......2007-07-05

As the biological lesbian mom, reading this book; as our little boy still squirms around in my belly, has helped prepare me/us for some of the other issues or concerns we may face as a lesbian couple preparing to raise a child. It has been a wonderful tool for my partner and me to discuss topics and concerns that we hadn't yet thought of. It has also given me a new perspective and sensitivity to the issues she may be faced with as the other mother.

I especially enjoyed the variety in authors. Each chapter takes on a whole new personality, making it very diverse and quite entertaining. Each story is so well written and articulate, not to mention funny, heartbreaking, and touching.

A great read for anyone who is looking to be entertained and enlightened.

All is told... and it makes the world a better place!.......2007-04-03

The book is funny and touching, honest and real. It is a reflection of a part of our society, that is often ignored from within.

This is not just a "lesbian mom" book. It is a "everyone" book. There is something for everyone and will touch you at some point in the book on many levels.

I could not put it down!

Much Need Voice.......2006-11-05

This book provides a much needed voice to the world of parenting essays and writing. The essays range from serious to hysterical, covering a wide range of experiences. I highly recommend the book for all parents, gay, straight, biological or non-biological. It's about being parents.

Myths of Gender: Biological Theories About Women and Men

Average customer rating:

Worth Reading
myths exposed
read after brain sex to be de programmed
This book is a gem among the gender rubble
Interesting and scientific...

Myths of Gender: Biological Theories About Women and Men
Anne Fausto-Sterling
Manufacturer: Basic Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0465047920

Book Description

By carefully examining the biological, genetic, evolutionary, and psychological evidence, a noted biologist finds a shocking lack of substance behind ideas about biologically-based sex differences.

Customer Reviews:

Worth Reading.......2007-03-19

Anne Fausto-Sterling attempts to discredit a variety of studies purporting to show fixed biological differences between the sexes. She is not completely successful. It is obvious that plenty of what has been believed about human females has proved false with time but for me A F-S goes a little too far in the opposite direction. Much of the nature/nurture argument is impossible to prove either way and the input of both is probably more equal than A F-S will allow.

Some of her arguments are also weak or wrong such as her suggestion that Santo Domingo 'penis at twelve' people actually have a choice in 'becoming' male or that in some cultures males do the bulk of the childcare. She does, though, provide an important amount of exposure of conflicting evidence across many studies from verbal skills, math, spatial ability to brain differences and hormones.

An important point she makes is about how we choose to understand difference and what we want to do about it. We all know that if some difference is supposedly found in males then this will automatically be given high status regardless of what that difference is. This is what is at the root of much of the argument of this book and at the root of women trying to destroy difference. But it would be strange if evolution has not selected for different bodies and behaviors to better suit the different ways men and women have been able to achieve reproductive success. It is important not to avoid the biology just to avoid male bias and what male dominated culture has been able to impose in the past.

Also the author rightly reminds us how important it is to remember individual variation.

Worth reading to balance some of what is written in the opposite direction but ultimately the truth is nearer the middle-ground.

myths exposed .......2005-04-07

I was always puzzled when it came to these gender studies.
Anee Fausto Sterling tells us about how these studies are
subjective and misleading.How and why we find a continual stapple of books proclaiming 'innate sex differences".
From my own experiences,none of the sex difference books hold
water when it comes to the reality of everyday life.We see
such differences in individuals as to say it's not sex which
is the cause behind them.Everyone should read her book.It is
time to stop reinforcing sterotypes on people.

read after brain sex to be de programmed.......2003-06-15

I read the book a few years ago and have ever since been helped
along the way as I wind myself down the path of endless
"sex difference" books.
I read it before I read "Brain Sex" so I wasn't at all able to
be programmed into a set of beliefs so common these days.
Gender studies are flawed,they involve the subjectivity of the
"researcher" and bias.If the "researcher finds a woman to
have a road map and blueprints in her mind,she's said to have
been exposed to male hormones,as though a woman cannot have these
gifts without being somehow a "misfit" according to most
"researchers".And what of the man who has great writing and
memory but poor spatial and math ability? He is neating fitted
into a catagory of male who was exposed to female hormones.
Anyway the writer debunks these myths with straightforward
writing and objective conclusions to confusing answers other
writers come up with to explain a man with a female brain and
a woman with a male brain.
The "researchers" have assigned a very narrow set of abilities
to males and females,and they use the hormone theory to
perperuate it.
Hormones are cousins,and esrtogen,androgens,testostrone,progestrone are found in both
sexes and in individual amounts.This in turn gives little
truth to the notion of hormones playing a part in male or female
brain wiring.
Brains are not fixed,a spatial brain can be in a female and
a verbal in a male.
Read the book and find out how subjective and bias gender
research actually is.

This book is a gem among the gender rubble.......2000-09-28

I'm not surprized that more people haven't read this book,because it gives the human being a maze of possiblities and HUMAN potential not limited by gender,which maybe to frightening for the Mars and Venused public to accept,since it leaves the door wide open for limitless potential and variations among persons atributed to individuality and not gender. I found other gender related books to be very limiting,which lead me to take some tests on spatial and verbal ability,let's just say,under the narrow Brain Sex mode,I would have a completely male brain in a female body!..after my test,my suspicions increased and I did some further reading and found this book. The writer explains how researchers may not be entirely ojective, how you cannot in any way base all gender behavior on a limited amount of subjects,since we of course have over a billion persons roaming the planet with many different individual abilites,and how there is an agenda against women's advancement in science and math,which of course demand sound logic and spatial reasoning. Expand your possibities,get the gender limits off your minds, and soar!

Interesting and scientific..........2000-06-19

I read this book for a summer reading program at my high school last summer. It was interesting and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys science textbook-like books. It was "very non-fiction" w/ stats and facts. Therefore, if you like things that way, and you are also interested in the subject, it's very helpful; a learning experience. The book is informative and helpful, some backing to common myths, some scientific backing to rumors floating around. The downfall is that it CAN get boring and takes forever to read. It's to be read in multiple sittings. In conclusion, it is either great or terrible, depending on your interests.

Women and Plants: Gender Relations in Biodiversity Management and Conservation

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Women and Plants: Gender Relations in Biodiversity Management and Conservation

Manufacturer: Zed Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Gender and Environment (Routledge Introductions to Environment)

ASIN: 1842771574

Book Description

This unique collection of in-depth case studies from Latin America, Asia, Africa, Europe and North America demonstrates the importance of women and gender relations in plant genetic resource management and conservation. It provides a state-of-the-art overview of the concepts, relationships and contexts explaining the relatively hidden gender dimensions of people-plant relations. The contributors come from a rich range of disciplines including ethnobotany, geography, agronomy, anthropology, plant breeding, nutrition and development economics. They demonstrate how crucial women are to plant biodiversity management and conservation at household, village, and community levels; and how gender relations have a strong influence on the ways in which local people understand, manage, and conserve biodiversity.

A Mind of Her Own: The Evolutionary Psychology of Women

Average customer rating:

A Solid Piece of Work
Very influential book about womens behaviors

A Mind of Her Own: The Evolutionary Psychology of Women
Anne Campbell
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0198504985

Book Description

Theories of human evolution portray ancestral men as active individuals who shaped future generations by testosterone-driven competition, creating a critical gulf between reproductive winners and losers. But what role is left for women within such evolutionary thinking? Their role has been constricted to mere consumers of the fruits of male competition accepting the winning male genes to pass to their children. Allegedly devoid of the need and capacity for competition amongst themselves, women could be neither winners nor losers in the reproductive stakes and so could contribute nothing to the genetic variability that drives selection. Is it any wonder that feminists are dismissive of such evolutionary approaches? That many have sought to ignore the contribution that evolutionary theory can make to our understanding of women? But have women really just been bit part actors in the whole story of evolution? Have they not played their own role in ensuring their reproductive success? In this highly accessible and thought provoking new book, Anne Campbell challenges this passive role of women in evolutionary theory, and redresses the current bias within evolutionary writing. Guiding us through the basics of evolutionary theory, she proposes that women have forged their own strategic way forward, acting through their own forms of competition, rivalry, aggression, and sexuality, to shape their own destiny. Throwing down a challenge to feminist theories, Campbell argues that evolutionary theory can indeed teach us plenty about the development of the female mind - we just need to get it right. This is an important book that will force others to re-evaluate their own assumptions about the evolution of the female mind.

Customer Reviews:

A Solid Piece of Work.......2005-11-01

Anne Campbell looks at why females are too easily presumed to be merely passive receivers of winning males' sperm.

Considering the enormous burden of motherhood and a mothers need for resources for both herself and her limited number of potential offspring it should follow that females will compete with each other for resources and there will be differential reproductive success amongst females.

But it is also essential for females to preserve their own health throughout their reproductive lifetime so open, physical aggression is not normally an option. (It is an option for males who can maximise their number of offspring in a brief spell of copulatory access to a number of females.)

So female competition is indirect and low-level harrassment except when the mother needs to show full aggression to directly protect her offspring.

Campbell discusses hormone studies - particularly serotonin and dopamine - suggesting that different levels of these in the sexes provide a braking system on female emotions and impulsive behaviour but less so on males. Hence greater male impulsivity, risk-taking, violence and even suicide. Only the male had the potential for reproductive gains via this weaker braking system.

Campbell also makes many more points about females and males such as the rarity of male parental care in nature and the possible reasons for monogamy eg the female trades sex for the protection of one male against numerous other males who may also be infanticidal. She also discusses female crime and female friendship.

And regarding modern women she points out that there is nothing new about women working except that women have to leave their children to do so.

This is a solid, wide-ranging book providng sound evolutionary reasons for women's psychology and behaviour. She includes the important points about variation within the sexes and the overlap of the sexes. But by considering the reality of how males and females achieved reproductive success in different ways during evolution she explains much about the differences between the sexes today.

Highly recommended.

Very influential book about womens behaviors.......2004-01-17

Quite simply, I am impressed with the value and scope of this manuscript. It is the most influential piece of work written about the mind and behavior of women to appear in history (and yes that is a bold statement, read it you won't be disappointed). I say kudos for taking on a topic of such magnitude, and bringing to light the fact that women too have an evolutionary past. This book is loaded with insight about women's behaviors such as social aggression, friendship, love and marriage. And far from offering simple opinions, the ideas and explanations are backed up by a stagering mound of scientific data. Whether you are an academic or the average Jane, this book is bound to be a classic read for anyone interested in the unique behaviors of women.

American Men & Women of Science 1998-99: A Biographical Directory of Today's Leaders in Physical, Biological and Related Sciences. (American Men and Women of Science, ed 20)

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American Men & Women of Science 1998-99: A Biographical Directory of Today's Leaders in Physical, Biological and Related Sciences. (American Men and Women of Science, ed 20)
Bowker
Manufacturer: R. R. Bowker
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Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0835237486

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Life changing material
Good work, well researched, liberal ideas.

Women and Gender: A Feminist Psychology
Mary Crawford , and Rhoda Unger
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages
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Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0070392137

Book Description

This revision of the best-selling text for undergraduate courses offered by departments of Psychology in the Psychology of Women, Sex and Gender, or Sex Roles draws on research from sociology, anthropology, communication, biology, history, and literature. Known for its engaging, never oversimplified style, WOMEN AND GENDER features an integrated thematic organization throughout the book that is synthesized in its final chapter.

The authors, well-known, active scholars in the field, take a social constructionist perspective (i.e., gender is a social system of meanings, status, and power, not just a personality characteristic of individuals). The text takes a feminist point of view, advocating basic equality of women and men social, economical, and political while objectively reporting research findings. Information on race, age, class, and sexual orientation, is included and integrated into all text chapters. Four themes are woven throughout the book: Gender is more than just sex; Language and naming are a source of power; Women are a diverse group; and Psychology should be related to social change

In the third edition, the short introductory chapter is now immediately followed by the popular chapter about women stereotypes and the harm they do, while the more theoretical chapter on personality has been integrated into other appropriate chapters and linked to current research and issues in the news. More attention is paid to the role of the media in defining girls and women of all ages. The chapter shows how images of women continue to differ from those of men, examines how the media sees women and men world-wide, and looks at the similarities of these depictions cross-culturally. Each chapter now ends with “Connecting Themes,” summary of how the book’s four themes are played out in the topics of the chapter. Much more material is included in each chapter on the cultural and ethnic diversity of women with added new findings on ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, social class, women of color, international issues, and women from around the world. In each chapter, a new “Making a Difference” boxed feature spotlights a woman activist who has changed society. A new chapter four on the meanings of difference asks, “How different are men and women really?” and answers this question in terms of contrasting feminist perspectives, presented in the context of concrete social problems. A new concluding chapter 15, “Making a Difference: Toward a Better Future for Women,” ties together the four themes of the book and presents an optimistic view of both how the women's movement has changed changed society and how students can continue to change society positively in response to the women’s movement.

Other new topics include: analysis of the backlash against feminism (chapter 1); the role of sexism in the schools (chapters 3 and 8); media images of women athletes and the representation of women in rap and music videos (chapter 4); pornography, race, and hostility toward women (chapters 4 and 14); factors influencing women’s perception of their leadership abilities (chapter 5); biological determinism in the media (chapters 3 and 6); the “silencing” of adolescent girls (chapter 8); differences among diverse groups of women in the meaning of sexuality and body image, and implications for therapeutic treatment (chapters 9 and 15); the new reproductive technology and the medical, ethical, and legal issues it raises; woman-headed households; and socially created obstacles to mothering (all in chapter 11); a new synthesis of the costs and benefits of juggling work, family, and relationship roles (chapter 12); changing cultural views of menopause, and achievement in mid- and later life (chapter 13).

A companion reader, In Our Own Words: Readings on the Psychology of Women and Gender, provides thorough coverage of and commitment to the diversity of the female experience in 45 readings that are brief, engaging, and fun to read.

Customer Reviews:

Life changing material.......2004-01-13

Often we accept the status quo that we are born into. We are not prodded to criticize the rules and standards passed on by our fathers and their forefathers. The key word here is FATHERS! This book isn't about being liberal or conservative, its about completeness. History, Education, and gender bias have ignored and continue to marginalize half of our society. I had not realized this before I took this class or read this book. I had the same societially fed distaste for feminism that most people have, but feminists are, in the highest sense, humanists. This book explores with research, (rather than only theorizing) sources of discrimination and oppression for both men and women. This book has been a source of empowerment for both me and many of the women around me. I strongly encourage ANYONE to read it. This book has not only changed my mind, but it has changed my life.

Good work, well researched, liberal ideas........2000-06-21

This book is generally good, unfortunatley the class I took that used this book was not good. So I'm having trouble separating the book from the class. Taken by itself the book is informative and I feel does a good job of covering the various expiriences of women. The book, of course, does take a liberal slant but the attempt to be balanced is there and should be appreciated by readers of a more conservative slant. The authors do have an agenda, as do most liberal feminists, and they make no apologies for their ideas. The best sections are the ones dealing with women and sexuality. The authors are sensitive and try to go beyond mere male-bashing. The authors also stick to significant issues, (something the class didn't do), and to keep the book from getting to boring they insert cartoons, usually Doonsberry, to illustrate their case. The cartoons are appropriate and add to the work.

A Natural History of Rape: Biological Bases of Sexual Coercion

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Weakly based theory
Close But No Cigar
Darwin's Male Privilege - Because he Can
Sound Science, Despite What the Clueless "Feminists" Say
The very sad 'Facts of Life'

A Natural History of Rape: Biological Bases of Sexual Coercion
Randy Thornhill , and Craig T. Palmer
Manufacturer: The MIT Press
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Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0262201259

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Evolutionary psychology often stomps where other branches of science fear to tread. Case in point: A Natural History of Rape. Randy Thornhill, a biologist, and Craig T. Palmer, an anthropologist, have attempted to apply evolutionary principles to one of the most disgusting of human behaviors, and the result is a guaranteed storm of media hype and debate. The book's central argument is that rape is a genetically developed strategy sustained over generations of human life because it is a kind of sexual selection--a successful reproductive strategy. This runs directly counter to the prevailing notion--that rape is predominantly about violent power, and only secondarily about sex.

The authors base their argument partly on statistics showing that in the United States, most rape victims are of childbearing age. But disturbingly large numbers of rapes of children, elderly women, and other men are never adequately explained. And the actual reproductive success of rape is not clear. Thornhill and Palmer's biological interpretation is just that--an interpretation, one that won't withstand tough scientific scrutiny. They further claim that the mental trauma of rape is greater for women of childbearing age (especially married women) than it is for elderly women or children. The data supporting these assertions come from a single psychological study, done by Thornhill in the 1970s, that mixes first-person interviews with caretaker's interpretations of children's reactions.

While Thornhill and Palmer claim that they are trying to look objectively at the root causes of rape, they focus almost entirely on data that support their thesis, forcing them to write an evolutionary "just-so" story. The central problem is evident in this quote, from the chapter "The Pain and Anguish of Rape":

We feel that the woman's perspective on rape can be best understood by considering the negative influences of rape on female reproductive success.... It is also highly possible that selection favored the outward manifestations of psychological pain because it communicated the female's strong negative attitude about the rapist to her husband and/or her relatives.

Women are disturbed by rape mostly because they are worried about what their husbands might think? In statements like this, the authors repeatedly discount the psychological aspects of rape, such as fear, humiliation, loss of autonomy, and powerlessness, and focus solely on personal shame.

A Natural History of Rape will no doubt have people talking about rape and its causes, and perhaps thinking about real ways of preventing it. In fact, the authors suggest that all young men be educated frankly about their (theoretical) genetic desire to rape. And it reopens the debate about the role of sex in rape. But without more and better data supporting their conclusions, Thornhill and Palmer are doing the very thing they criticize feminists and social scientists of doing: just talking. --Therese Littleton

Book Description

In this sure-to-be-controversial book, Randy Thornhill and Craig Palmer use evolutionary biology to explain the causes of rape and to recommend new approaches to its prevention. According to Thornhill and Palmer, evolved adaptation of some sort gives rise to rape; the main evolutionary question is whether rape is an adaptation itself or a by-product of other adaptations. Regardless of the answer, Thornhill and Palmer note, rape circumvents a central feature of women's reproductive strategy: mate choice. This is a primary reason why rape is devastating to its victims, especially young women. Thornhill and Palmer address, and claim to demolish scientifically, many myths about rape bred by social science theory over the past twenty-five years. The popular contention that rapists are not motivated by sexual desire is, they argue, scientifically inaccurate.

Although they argue that rape is biological, Thornhill and Palmer do not view it as inevitable. Their recommendations for rape prevention include teaching young males not to rape, punishing rape more severely, and studying the effectiveness of "chemical castration." They also recommend that young women consider the biological causes of rape when making decisions about dress, appearance, and social activities. Rape could cease to exist, they argue, only in a society knowledgeable about its evolutionary causes.

The book includes a useful summary of evolutionary theory and a comparison of evolutionary biology's and social science's explanations of human behavior. The authors argue for the greater explanatory power and practical usefulness of evolutionary biology. The book is sure to stir up discussion both on the specific topic of rape and on the larger issues of how we understand and influence human behavior.

Customer Reviews:

Weakly based theory.......2006-11-23

I have been a student of Dr. Palmer's at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, and while I admire his ecoanthropology teachings, this book is beyond his scope as an anthropologist. Dr. Palmer's most knowledgeable topics are those of the fishers of Maine and New Foundland. Some of Dr. Palmer's best works are those he did with his former professor and mentor, Lyle Steadman at ASU regarding folklore, mythology and ancestor teachings. If I could have previewed this work before it was published, I would have said, "Craig, stick with what you know!" His documentaion is weak at best, and some of it is truly questionable. While I understand his logic behind this topic, I think his facts are weak. I suppose, if one were inclined, one could turn any set of numbers, statistics or facts to fit the hypothesis they have developed. I think that's what Craig and Randy Thornhill have done. Craig has written some absolutely wonderful works, however, this is not one of them.

My suggestion would be that readers find this in the library and not spend money on it, read it, then come to your own conclusions on whether or not you agree with the evolutionary basis of rape.

Close But No Cigar.......2006-01-23

This book has some interesting hypotheses but I don't believe it makes the case for the "Rape is the Last-Resort Reproductive Strategy" hypothesis as well as the Ghiglieri book does. It is known that rape is widespread throughout the animal kingdom, or something resembling mating by forceful coercion at any rate. I expected to see more of that kind of discussion than just a bunch of old statistics regarding us boring old homo sapiens. Keep in mind, though, that among humans the majority of rapists are men in their sexually peak years, and the majority of victims are those women in their peak reproductive stages as well. Sure, there are super-psychos that rape old women, kids or men, for example, but the mere existance of those datapoints do nothing to blunt the force of the evidence in favor of the theory that rape is the last-resort reproductive strategy. In fact, it is well-known that the majority of rapes that occur: a) are date rapes! and b) an overwhelming number of the victims tend to be college aged women! Also, let me say that explaining why something happens is NOT the same as justifying it. Given that Thornhill's wife is actually a rape counselor (!) it would be quite odd if he wrote a book justifying it, to say the least. What Thornhill and Palmer seek to do is take something that is a norm (yes, a norm!) of human culture, and try and figure out why the hell it's been going on for as long as anybody knows, and why it still is!
I do not believe that there is much scientists or anthropologists can say about a human nature: but they can say that men enjoy forming groups of men to go and kill 'outsiders' (however they may be so designated) (aka "war"); that many youngish men don't mind raping women, and in fact studies have shown that many men are turned on by depictions of rape in movies, magazines, etc; that most men are turned on by lesbian sex, and most women are NOT generally turned on by homosexual sex (i.e., men-on-men); and, finally that people like to congregate in coastal areas to consume cheap alchololic beverages when they have spare time (aka "vacation"). That's about all that can be said about a 'human nature.'
Let me end by noting that even if rape is a reproductive strategy for the lowest of the low- who have no other chance to mate- well, it is a very very UNSUCCESSFUL strategy when compared to normal one of picking up some tramp in a bar; or say, meeting a women around town and having an actual relationship with her, or meeting a girl in HS or college perhaps. Whatever the case may be, rape is seldom successful in impregnating women, that's why most men don't do it! In one behavioral ecology study, if I recall correctly, a study on scorpion flies, it was observed that out of 74 scorpion fly 'rapes', or matings that appeared to be forced, only 2 resulted in female scorpion flies being successfully impregnated! Dung flies also engage some brutal tactics, every bit as brutal as some scumbag beating a women or drugging her drink at a bar or something.
I by no means intend this review to be comprehensive, but only to convey the fact that there is some substance to Thornhill and Palmer's claims, but they do a poor poor job for making their case. All in all, I wouldn't recommend buying this book, buy Ghiglieri's instead and read Alcock's The Triumph of Sociobiology to get an overall better feel for Thornhill and Palmer's argument. Finally, however, I believe that one thing that helps us humans out is that we can actually critically evaluate our thoughts and actions: if somebody says, "I couldn't help raping so-and-so, (or maybe just 'random woman')," then I would simply reply: "Take some bloody responsibilty for your actions, of course you could help yourself!" A dung fly may not be able to decide, based on complex cognitive functions, to not rape a female dung fly, but a man can certainly decide not to rape a woman.

Darwin's Male Privilege - Because he Can.......2006-01-15

The license to take what men want regardless of circumstances is the heredity of Darwin and the recognition that social bonding of males will support that privilege. Hence, social license borne of the interpretation of male superiority results in rape and other social infractions that society is willing to condone, or conveniently, fails to enforce, to the beneficial interest of all males, and to the disadvantage of women. Men rape because they can, therefore, and they can "get away with it."

The failure of men to exert social control upon themselves may be due either to desire to dominate, or to obtain that which they would be not entitled to otherwise, and aggressively decide to obtain forcefully. Whether by rape or by fraud or extortion, the premise that men are so indulged by society means they are not fearful of social retribution for the acts, and ignore attempts for society to control their actions - often seen by other men as evidence of masculinity or independence desirable for all men, but to the detriment of women. Patriarchy was invented to indulge male supremacy to accomplish these means and more, and is the primary reason that women cannot obtain equal rights because these unequal rights, now, as embedded, means unhampered male privilege for the benefit of society that empowers male preference, male leadership, and male productivity.

Sound Science, Despite What the Clueless "Feminists" Say.......2005-11-22

Rape is ALL about sex; it's NOT about violence and control (at least not as a means to an end; yes, it's undoubtedly violent, but that's not why men rape). Ask any rapist in prison. He'll tell you that he wanted to get his rocks off. That's the plain ugly truth -- and denying it won't change the basic truth of this postulate. I, for one, am glad that many other scientists -- both men and women -- are coming around to the ideas presented in this book and will hopefully use this information to UNDERSTAND rape and then apply REAL solutions to its eventual eradication from our society. Running around calling these great men (and women) of science "rape apologists" and "lunatics" does nothing but reveal the puerile close-mindedness of the criticizer.

The very sad 'Facts of Life'.......2005-10-19

This book only actually addresses the rape of fertile young women. Men rape because men are always wanting sex, women aren't, so men have various strategies to overcome the female's refusal - which sometimes means the use of physical force.

So what this book is saying, and it does appear to be at least partly true, is that male sexuality can be totally selfish and women must recognize that to be alone with any man, from stranger to husband, is a dangerous place for a female to be unless she wants sex herself.

Chapter 7 deals with the law and punishment and rightly states that this too represents the male's selfish perspective. The authors also note that human female mate choice has not really existed as fathers and brothers have made the choice of mate for their daughters or sisters - and again, in their own self-interest. They do not note that this is uniquely human and how the fact that human females are only now starting to gain ownership of their own bodies is significant to this debate.

It is a fact that sperm is the most abundant resource on the planet while, in traditional societies, there would be a maximum of about 150days in a female's lifetime when she has an egg that could be fertilized. Males are bigger, stronger, risk-takers, more aggressive, more impulsive, more domineering, more selfish AND desperately trying to be the ones who make it to these rare eggs. It is hard to imagine that they will all just sit back and wait to be chosen.

The authors do not properly discuss concealed ovulation and the fact than human males are under the illusion that females of reproductive age are actually fertile everyday. Also, considering how rare actual female fertility is, it is important to recognize the cyclic nature of female sexual interest and to uncover more why human - and other primate females - do choose to have sex for reasons other than 'sex' ie to placate males or avoid future infanticide. Males might 'do sex' for sex but for females sex can often not be sexually motivated.

This book is not all bad but it would be advisable to read more widely about evolution, adaptation and the evolution of sex differences. Sometimes it is the female primate pestering an uninterested male for sex, for example.

It is probably safer and more realistic to recognize sexual behaviour as more selfish than we like to pretend and that male sexuality can be largely parasitic and can pose a great nuisance to females and often a great danger. Perhaps education about sex differences will help females to avoid being alone with males and help males to control this most horrendous of selfish impulses. And when we acknowledge how selfish males as sex seekers, lawmakers and judges are we should also expect to see a steep rise in convictions of rapists.

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