THE INEVITABILITY OF PATRIARCHY

by Steven Goldberg ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 6, 1973

An obstinately turgid and pedantic anti-feminist tract which purports to prove that men are, always have been, and always will be dominant both in familial relationships and in society at large. Encumbered with page-long footnotes from anthropological and biological studies (mostly undigested), Goldberg predicates his theory on the hormone testosterone -- men have more of it, hence they are more aggressive, hence it is the natural order of things that they will always monopolize positions of power, authority and status. Women are suited to be mothers and keep the home fires burning though there's nothing wrong in their ""getting around"" men by using ""female energies."" Further, cognitive aptitudes between the sexes differ (men are more logical -- aren't all current chess Grand Masters male?). Proceeding by categorical assertion and preemptive declaration, Goldberg grossly misrepresents feminist positions (most feminists do not deny differences in temperament between men and women) to make his reductivist case. Nor is there any consideration of the fact that today, for the first time in history, women can control their reproductive processes -- a basic point of departure for the feminist vision of a new human order. In his introduction Goldberg (a sociologist at CCNY) concedes that his ""tone"" is ""exceedingly strong"" -- pathetically patriarchal would be more apt.

Pub Date: Aug. 6, 1973

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Morrow

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1973

Categories: NONFICTION