Sex Roles (2008) 59:602–604
DOI 10.1007/s11199-008-9442-2
BOOK REVIEW
A Psychological Summary of Masculinity: Short, Clear,
and Relevant
The Masculine Self (3rd edition). By Christopher T. Kilmartin, Sloan Publishing:
Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY, 2007. 400 pp. $52.95 (paperback). 1-59738-005-9
Andrew P. Smiler & Suny Oswego
Published online: 2 May 2008
# Springer Science + Business Media, LLC 2008
The idea that gender shapes the way individuals are raised,
make choices, interact with others, and understand the
world is well established and accepted by many. Theorists
have long addressed this influence (e.g., Freud 1925/1997),
but research on gender was relatively uncommon until the
Feminist movement of the 1960–1970s. Most of the
subsequent research has focused on women’s roles and
femininity; research on men’s roles and masculinity has
been less common and received less attention (Smiler
2004). The last decade, however, has placed men and
masculinity in the spotlight, the result of school-aged boys
shooting their classmates, popular press publication of
several high-profile texts by academic authors (Garbarino
1999; Pollack 1998), and a mainstream American news
magazine highlighting the gender gap in educational
performance (that favors girls) under the title “The Boy
Crisis” (Tyre et al. 2006). Kilmartin’s text sets out to
summarize current psychological research on masculinity.
As such, it complements existing texts that adopt a
historical, cultural, or cross-national focus on masculinity
(e.g., Gilmore 1990; Kimmel 1996).
The text’s first two sections introduce readers to the
study of gender, especially masculinity. The first section is
a short introduction to masculinity, gender, “older”
approaches that rarely form the basis for current research
(e.g., sex role theory, androgyny), and measurement issues.
The second section, which comprises nearly one-third of
the text, introduces readers to current theoretical approaches
A. P. Smiler (*) : S. Oswego
Psychology, SUNY Oswego,
457 Mahar Hall,
Oswego, NY 13126, USA
e-mail: smiler@oswego.edu
as well as the “intersection” of masculinity/gender with
other demographic categories (e.g., ethnicity, social class,
sexual orientation). Kilmartin provides readers with a brief
introduction to evolutionary theory, psychoanalytic per-
spectives, ego psychology, behavioral learning theories
(i.e., reward and punishment), imitation based approaches
(i.e., Bandura), gender schema theory, approaches that high-
light the immediate environment and other situational/
contextual approaches, humanistic theories, and existential
theories. He effectively summarizes each of these theoretical
approaches by focusing on the key constructs within each
approach. As such, he avoids many of the theoretical
arguments within each framework, as well as the arguments
between theoretical approaches. Given that the text is meant
to be an introduction to the field, this decision is a wise one.
Kilmartin also addresses the intersection of masculinity
with other demographic categories in this section, with a
particular focus on ethnicity (including cross-national
differences) and sexual orientation (including homophobia).
These chapters, which appear to be obligatory in gender
studies texts, provide a series of concrete examples of ways
in which men’s behavior and masculinity vary as a result of
cultural-level factors. Not surprisingly, the examples com-
pel the reader to re-examine essentialistic notions of gender.
Although these chapters follow discussion of situational
and contextual theories and precede the more phenomeno-
logical approaches (e.g., humanistic, existentialistic), the
links between macro-level factors (e.g., culture) and micro-
level behavior are not well delineated. Kilmartin’s discus-
sion of cross-national similarities and differences includes
perhaps his only presentation of an argument between
theoretical approaches. The evidence presented provides
substantial support for non-biological theories and is
perhaps the only place in which the author seems to have
an explicit theoretical preference.
Sex Roles (2008) 59:602–604
The third section of the book, “Men’s Issues,” summa-
rizes research in various content areas: emotion, physical
health, work, sexuality, violence, relationships, and mental
health. Comprising approximately half of the written text, it
is perhaps the most important part of the book, as well as its
greatest strength. In each chapter, Kilmartin addresses a
topic that is important to either men’s general functioning
(e.g., emotional expression) and/or men’s societal roles
(e.g., paid work). Chapters typically start by contextualizing
the issue through cross-national differences, “sex differ-
ences,” and/or historical changes. This is followed by more
detailed discussion of the issue and presentation of findings,
with particular emphasis on connecting findings to aspects
of masculinity that may be relevant (e.g., appearing
“tough”). Kilmartin moves fluently between research on
gender differences and research on masculinity, and thus
provides a narrative that clearly identifies group differences
while also acknowledging and addressing differences
between men. Although much of the text here focuses on
negative aspects of these topics (e.g., disease), Kilmartin
includes positive depictions where the literature allows
(e.g., health promotion). He also addresses a variety of
commonly held beliefs/stereotypes about men, especially
those that support/justify unhealthy or inappropriate behav-
ior, effectively pointing out the extant variability in men’s
behavior and the ways in which these behaviors harm both
men and those they care for.
Throughout the text, Kilmartin’s writing is clear,
accessible, and direct; he avoids jargon whenever possible
and writes in a conversational (vs. academic) style. This is
likely the result of his experience on stage (he performs a
one-man standup routine about masculinity) and as a
consultant/educator. He routinely draws examples from
popular culture (particularly television programs and
commercials) and his own experiences, and regularly uses
humor to maintain interest. Kilmartin’s passion and care for
his subject—men—comes through clearly. Indeed, the
writing is a strength of the text.
Kilmartin’s presentation is neutral in tone. The issues
section of the text describes a number of ways in which
American gender structures create problems for men, but
the book does not read as complaint about how men are
mistreated. Nor does Kilmartin use the book to argue
against feminist concerns about patriarchy (or men) or to
argue for men’s superiority. Instead, he highlights the
advantages and disadvantages men receive from patriarchy,
as well as the benefits and costs men experience from
adhering to cultural dictates of masculinity. The result is an
ideologically balanced text that describes the complex
world of men and masculinity.
The book is not without flaws, however. As noted
earlier, the connection between the theoretically oriented
chapters and the intersection chapters is unclear. The issues
603
chapters are also largely unconnected to the theoretical
chapters, although that is not unusual (and a text that
reinterpreted each set of findings for each theoretical
approach would be unnecessarily cumbersome). Although
no text can adequately address every topic, there are several
important omissions. When introducing biological theories,
Kilmartin omits intersexuality (formerly “hermaphrodit-
ism”; recently “disorders of sexual development”; Fausto-
Sterling 1997; Vilain et al. 2007) and thus misses an
opportunity to increase the complexity of the discussion by
addressing the relative and separate influence of genes and
hormones, as well as the interaction between childrearing
environment and biological factors. Kilmartin also excludes
discussion of women’s masculine behavior, and thus loses
an opportunity to separate masculine behavior from
biological sex. Boys’ gender development is discussed,
but briefly, and is somewhat obscured by its placement
within the introduction to social theories. Finally, and from
a pedagogical perspective, the second section’s theoretical
review is necessary, but the discussion of so many theories,
with little cross-theory comparison and little context, is
likely to be unappealing for even the most interested
readers.
Overall, the text’s strengths outweigh its weaknesses.
Kilmartin’s summary of the research on a variety of issues
and the clarity of his writing make the book accessible and
useful. His balanced tone makes the book amenable to a
variety of partisan and non-partisan audiences. Further,
because the psychological research on masculinity and
men-as-gendered-beings is relatively small, chapters are
both comprehensive and short (approximately 20 pages).
Kilmartin’s text is appropriate for a variety of audiences.
It could be used with undergraduates at any level, and the
brevity of the chapters would allow it to be paired with
additional readings (primary sources, parallel content on
women and femininity, or additional content on masculini-
ty). The introductory and issues chapters could also be of
interest to a general audience. Indeed, chapters within the
issues section may also be appropriate for other specialized
audiences, including graduate students unfamiliar with
psychological and social science perspectives. For example,
the chapter on physical health could provide a useful
overview and introduction to masculinity for those in health
sciences (especially in practitioner programs).
References
Fausto-Sterling, A. (1997). Beyond difference: A biologist's perspec-
tive. Journal of Social Issues, 53, 233–258.
Freud, S. (1925/1997). Some psychological consequences of the
anatomical distinction between the sexes. In T. Roberts (Ed.) The
Lanahan readings in the psychology of women (pp. 521–528).
Baltimore, MD, USA: Lanahan.
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Garbarino, J. (1999). Lost boys: Why our sons turn violent and how
we can save them. NY, NY, USA: Free Press.
Gilmore, D. D. (1990). Manhood in the making: Cultural concepts of
masculinity. New Haven, CT, USA: Yale University Press.
Kimmel, M. (1996). Manhood in America: A cultural history. NY, NY,
USA: Free Press.
Pollack, W. (1998). Real boys: Rescuing our sons from the myths of
boyhood. NY, NY, USA: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.
Sex Roles (2008) 59:602–604
Smiler, A. P. (2004). Thirty years after gender: Concepts and measures
of masculinity. Sex Roles, 50, 15–26.
Tyre, P., Murr, A., Juarez, V., Underwood, A., Springen, K., & Wingert,
P. (2006). The trouble with boys: They're kinetic, maddening, and
failing at school. Newsweek, 44, January 30
Vilain, E., Achermann, J. C., Eugster, E. A., Harley, V. R., Morel, Y.,
Wilson, J. D., et al. (2007). We used to call them hermaphrodites.
Genetics in Medicine, 9, 65–66.