An account of the "war" against women, the insidiously manipulated political and cultural backlash against the hard-won equality and independence which women achieved in the 1970s and 1980s. Using examples from all areas of public life, Faludi presents a picture of the erosion of women's status.

This analysis of the National Survey of Families and Households confirmed earlier findings: Much of the violence between married partners occurred in couples in which both partners were reported as perpetrators, and women as well as men committed violent acts in married couples. However, the NSFH data indicated that the probabilities of injury for male and female respondents differed significantly, with wives more likely to be injured than husbands. The NSFH differentiated between violent acts and injurious outcomes and provided an (...) empirical rebuttal of the “battered husband syndrome.” At the same time, the NSFH reproduced many of the problems of quantitative surveys as they are currently used to measure the incidence and consequences of intimate violence. The article discusses the major problems with both the content and the context of currently employed survey methodology, as exemplified by the NSFH. (shrink)

In this now established text the author presents her analysis of the power of law and argues for a feminist post-structuralist approach. She comments on pornography, as well as discussing recent research on rape trials and abortion legislation.

Ideal as a basic text in undergraduate gender or social movements courses, or as a supplement in sociology of family classes. Uses compelling case materials (i.e. the struggle over the ERA, abortion rights, or the fight for gay and lesbian rights) to show how large-scale historical transformations are relevant to pressing social issues. The book also links gender with social movements in a way that shows how events of the 19th century are relevant to understanding the struggles for change today. (...) "I am very enthusiastic about this book, not only from the standpoint of my own course needs, but as someone interested in the significance of social movements for gender change." --Verta Taylor, Ohio State University. (shrink)