My Brother's Keeper: What the Social Sciences Do (and Don't) Tell Us about Masculinity

by Mary Stewart Van Leeuwen

"What is man, that you are mindful of him, the son of man, that you care for him?"Indeed, what is a man? As our society sorts through what it means to be masculine or feminine and roles drift and shift, men as well as women feel the strain. Very recently, a small but growing field of theory called men's studies has appeared in reaction to the decades-long feminist movement in women's studies. Can the social sciences informing contemporary men's studies...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0830826904
• ISBN13: 9780830826902
• Release Date: October 2002
• Publisher: IVP Academic
• Length: 255 Pages
• Weight: 0.92 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

A must read for anyone not satisfied with the "Good Ol Boys" explanations on the subject

This is one of the best books I have ever read on the topic of Masculinity. Fantastic truths to ponder instead of the same old rhetoric that has been swirling around pretending to be enlightening and uplifting truth concerning the world of maleness form the beginning of time until now. This book should be mandatory reading for all people male or female for it is truly enlightening and immensely helpful in sorting out what is really fact and what is really fiction in our beliefs. I have re read this book about 3 times and continue to learn more each time as I research this issue. If you, like myself, have been on a long and confusing journey in trying to figure out what the truth about maleness in all its regal glory and real weakness, this book is one you will not regret reading. I found out about this book through Christian for Biblical Equality which has been an absolute blessing in my journey to find truth about our humanity which is male and female.

About more than men... also the relationships and society which shape them and they it

This is a scientific but highly readable (quick) and profound evaluation of masculinity. However, because masculinity is relational, it is also an evaluation of marriage, parenting, business practices, and economics. I have some quibbles with it (I will get to a few), but I wish every pastor and engaged couple would read it. She assumes an egalitarian standpoint but also attempts to reach across the aisle. Van Leeuwen presents a compelling vision of how a fallen version of a male honor code has permeated so many cultures, including ours, to the detriment of BOTH men and women (and boys and girls). I found myself crying for men at times and the pressures on them. A lot is stuff I've "known" as someone who has pondered and even written about these issues a lot, but I have a fuller perspective on and deeper conviction of that "knowing" after reading this. One of the most breathtaking moments was when she returned to one culture she had repeatedly evaluated for its detrimental patriarchal behaviors (for instance, female circumcision of both the clitoris AND the labia), the Masai, and showed what happened when Christ came to town. I don't want to spoil it, but it is a story you do NOT want to miss. I'm sure the Masai will continue to struggle with the reassertion of patriarchy in their churches and any remnant pieces, but Christ is indeed good news for women everywhere! (On the topic of the reassertion of patriarchy after breakthroughs in our Western Church, please see Discovering Biblical Equality, Pierce and Groothius, eds. chpts 1 and especially 2.) In the latter third of the book, Van Leeuwen argues for several changes in society and business (and our thinking) which might allow mothers and fathers of young children to work 30 hrs/wk apiece and evenly divide childcare and housework responsibilities. (Throughout the entire book, she gives scientific, historical, and cultural reasoning for the reintroduction of far more profound father-involvement than almost any American families know today as well as the benefit of women living multi-sphered but not overextended lives, although she delves into that on fewer levels, given the book's emphasis.) She points to a season when Kellogg factories did this much to the advantage of all and some of the societal influences and pressures of male (and female) identity which crept in and overturned this practice. She notes other countries which have moved in this direction as well, for instance with shorter work weeks in general, paternity leaves, etc. It is a wholly compelling case. She also provides suggested safeguards so that women in divorce are not so unevenly and devastatingly impoverished. YET.... This is where I wish she would have painted more diverse pictures that could better suit more subcultures within the U.S. and the unique diversity of callings that any given couple will find on their lives. Understandably, since she is working so much w/in scientific studies, she may not hav

Another Thought-Provoking Book by Van Leeuwen

She does it yet again! I really enjoyed an egalitarians viewpoint on masculinity in this century. It also made me realise how hugely important of a role my husband plays in my daughters life. It is scholarly, yet readable. An overview of masculinity in through the centuries and what affect that has on todays perception of what masculinity is. She has two sons, is a egalitarian and a very intelligent woman both as a scholar and from her personal experience.