Book Review: ‘Re-Conceiving the Second Sex: Men, Masculinity, and Reproduction’

Abstract

This edited volume of 14 chapters based on empirical studies for the most part written by anthropologists, argues the case that men’s reproductive concerns, contributions and experiences have been marginalized in many fields of study. It is without doubt the most comprehensive book on male reproduction, taking a cross-cultural international perspective drawn from America, Asia, Latin America, and the Far and Middle East. The volume views men as ‘reproducers’ and explores issues ranging from childbirth to fatherhood to masculinity and sexuality of ‘heterosexuals, homosexuals, married and unmarried men’. The range of the book makes it an ideal resource for undergraduates, graduates, academics, researchers, policy makers and practitioners. In the introduction the editors clearly identify the central tenet of the volume that ‘men are viewed as “the second sex” in reproduction. They postulate that the untested assumption that men are disengaged from matters of human reproduction is embedded in both in policy and in anthropology, feminist, and social science literature. I would immediately add masculinity to that list.

Keywords: Anthropology, Biology, Bio-Social, Cultural, Human Reproduction, Fertility, Family Planning, Feminist, Social Science Literature, Policy, Masculinity, Childbirth, Fatherhood, Assisted Reproductive Technology, ART, Sexuality