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Book review: Introducing Gender and Women's Studies

Article · October 2016

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Charlotte Dann
The University of Northampton
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Book Reviews
Introducing Gender and Women’s Studies
Diane Richardson & Victoria Robinson (Eds.)
Palgrave, 2015.
ISBN: 978-0-23054-300-3

Reviewed by Charlotte Dann

One of the first things that struck me when

reading Introducing Gender and Women’s Studies
was how much important material they have
been able to cover, whilst making the text
accessible and easy to follow, providing a well-
rounded and thought-provoking discussion
of key issues within the field.
Already in its third edition, this book
comprehensively covers over two decades of
key issues within gender and feminist theory.
In this revised edition, they move the argu-
ment along further, by paying attention to
important issues such as violence, the inclu-
sion of masculinity studies, and perhaps most
important with its current popularity in femi-
nist writing and activism, the incorporation
of intersectionality in discussion throughout.
By introducing the topic area, it is clear they can get involved, if they so wish. The
that the book is mainly aimed at students, way that political issues are addressed made
but by the vast amount of issues that is it accessible and understandable in relation
covers, with in depth arguments and provi- to gender and women’s studies, providing a
sion of further reading, it allows the reader clear history that leads to the point feminism
to advance through the material at a level and politics stands at today.
that is suitable to them. The high number of Section one provides an overview of
contributors to the book adds expertise in theory and politics, posing the seminal ques-
areas that need more consideration, such as tion – what do we mean by gender?,
popular culture, the environment, and sexu- following logically by illustrating how gender
ality. The extensive notes on each author is key for understanding practices within
also provides a good background for the culture and society. Positively, this book
reader in understanding why it is important doesn’t just focus on the West – other parts
each of the contributors provide discussion of the world are included, such as activism in
on their own specialist areas. The chapters’ Egypt and questioning feminist thought in
link well, with a consistent weaving of inter- the Global North and South. By also incor-
sectional thought throughout. porating more research on masculinities
One strong aspect of this book is how it with this revised edition, it helps in under-
makes the issues more relatable to the real standing feminism, by also recognising key
world – the inclusion of a chapter on politics aspects of masculinities. The provision of
and activism enables the reader to take the this collection of chapters sets the scene,
theory and make is applicable, showing how leading into more specific important issues,

Psychology of Women Section Review, Vol. 18(1), Spring 2016 79

© The British Psychological Society
Author
Book Reviews
name
such as violence against women, and the
intersections of gender, race and ethnicity.
Section two explores the importance of
the body, and the concept of identity. By
considering gender in the previous section
almost as a prerequisite to this, has meant
that the contributors to this section have
been able to open up the argument, and
provide alternative points of view to evoke
thought on the topic. For example, in
‘gendered bodies’, key theorists such as
Irigay, Grosz, Butler and Foucault are
discussed – whilst there are some similarities
that carry across their arguments, there is
less bias on the topic area, rather than
focussing on one as being more important
than the rest. The reader is provided with
further recommended material to explore,
and also provides questions to consider,
giving them the opportunity to form their
own opinions on the key readings with which
they have been presented.
Section three looks at institutions, and
how they are key in understanding gender in
culture and society. This includes the argu-
ment of women’s unpaid and domesticated
work, and also a questioning of family statis-
tics, and what they actually represent. From
this section, I found the chapter on educa-
tion most beneficial – consolidating the
notion that in order to understand gender
and women’s studies more fully, then the
focus must not solely remain on women. In
addition, the argument doesn’t just centre
on the education of children in the Global
North – it beneficially draws on real life case
studies, from inspirational young women
such as Malala Yousafzai in the power of
education for all.
80 Psychology of Women Section Review, Vol. 18(1), Spring 2016
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Section four provides a good conclusion
for the preceding sections by exploring
culture and contents, including a new discus-
sion on the environment. Here, the contrib-
utors acknowledge the difficulties in
understanding media from a feminist
perspective, and include an interesting
discussion of the Dove campaign –
a campaign that was often applauded for
celebrating real women, but really appeals to
women ‘in the know’, and considers the
influence of consumerism.
Whilst this book will not have covered
every argument available on issues
concerning gender and women’s studies, it
does provide an excellent starting point for
understanding key theorists and arguments.
From a readers’ perspective, there are
elements of gender and women’s studies that
I had not given thought to before now, and
helped me gain more breadth in under-
standing the field. By relating to current
feminism through more incorporation of
intersectionality, the reader is informed
about the development of feminism and
feminist theory, and where we can move
forward from here.
Charlotte Dann
University of Northampton.
charlotte.dann@northampton.ac.uk