"Gender Knots" - Untie the knots of gender, break through the antagonism between men and women, read, understand, and act.
The Gender Knot: Unraveling Our Patriarchal Legacy
How has the legacy of patriarchy persisted to this day?
Why do people turn a blind eye?
Shaking the iron cage of patriarchy and untying the knot of gender.
No one is alone.
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[Synopsis]
“"Patriarchy is like a fire deep underground, which has been spreading and burning across the land for thousands of years."
"...Although we didn't start the fire, now it's up to us to put it out."”
"Gender Knots" is a book on gender sociology published in 1997, but its influence continues to this day.
This book begins by clarifying "what patriarchy is" and how it has become a social structure that we take for granted, deeply influencing people's thinking, habits, and almost all aspects of their lives. Regardless of whether they are men or women, everyone is shackled by patriarchy, yet they all turn a blind eye to it: "The most terrible thing about patriarchy is that it makes one half of the world's population fight against the other half."“
At the same time, what makes this book unique is the author's heterosexual male identity. As a "beneficiary of patriarchy," the author deconstructs patriarchy from a male perspective, analyzing the contradictory phenomenon of "men enjoying privileges yet feeling powerless against patriarchy." He elucidates the joint participation of both sexes in the construction of patriarchy, but does not blame these victims. Instead, he points the finger directly at the structural roots: untying the knot of gender, breaking through the antagonism between men and women, and launching a counterattack against patriarchy from scratch!
The author elaborates on how ordinary people can weaken patriarchy through their actions, advocating that men, who directly benefit from the social establishment, should be more vocal. He encourages everyone to eliminate gender antagonism in their lives, enhance mutual understanding between the sexes, promote gender reconciliation, and plant seeds of world-changing change in themselves and others.
“We must find a way to make men and women part of the solution, not just part of the problem.”
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[Editor's Recommendation]
🎗A theoretical handbook and combat guide dedicated to men and women:
Break free from the shackles of patriarchy and embrace freedom and liberation for all genders:
Just as fish struggle to perceive water, we struggle to perceive the society around us, and the suffering of women. Yet, we can ultimately decide where to place our "meager weight."
🎗Start here to understand undefined feminism, understand feminism "for all":
—Is feminism a theory that only fights for women's rights? Does opposing misogyny equate to supporting misogyny? This book tells you that feminism is a window through which we see the world, and also an ideological cornerstone about the transformation of human life: understanding feminism is like entering a one-dimensional door; you can never go back to the world you once knew, and you never want to go back.
🎗Breaking down gender antagonism and seeking another possibility; calling on both sexes to join hands and work together to untangle the tangled mess of gender issues:
This book reveals and critiques not only the reality of male privilege and female exploitation, but also the toxic structure of patriarchy—a system that turns half the world's population into perpetrators and the other half into victims, making everyone both problem creators and consequence bearers. Therefore, similarly, dismantling the gender deadlock and dismantling the iron cage of patriarchy requires the collective effort of all of us.
🎗Detailed, concise, and easy to read content; a best-selling, practical guide to gender self-help for many years:
—When women are angry, how should they speak out and resist? When men awaken, how should they make changes? The author breaks down theoretical barriers with an easy-to-read approach, breaking down complex social realities into accessible details; and, following the principle of a "practice guide," summarizes decades of practical experience in the gender equality movement, providing a framework for future generations to work together on this journey.
Make a sound so that others can hear it; start with small things and refuse to make gender jokes; support women and men to be themselves, and support everyone to love what they love; don't be confined to yourself, find like-minded people, publicly support those who speak out, and ensure that the brave don't feel alone...
[Media Recommendation]
The essence of feminist theory lies in its connection to practice, and Johnson's work follows this tradition, combining the macro and micro structures of patriarchy and encouraging readers to take the necessary steps to dismantle this structure… This beautifully written and thought-provoking book offers a compelling analysis of contemporary patriarchy and the powerful, repressive ideology behind it. Beyond its exceptional academic achievements, Johnson demonstrates in *Gender Knots* that his work is not merely academic writing, but a guide to life-changing adventures.
—Contemporary Sociology
This book is a valuable addition to the small body of serious writing by men. They understand the oppression of women, define patriarchy clearly and without resistance, and narrate the participation of both men and women in patriarchy without blaming the victims. Written in clear and accessible language, it avoids convoluted academic jargon and political rhetoric. It is an excellent introductory work for both women and men.
—Feminist Bookstore News
Alan G. Johnson
Allan G. Johnson
American author and public speaker, she received her doctorate in 1970. She taught at Hartford College for Women and served as a consultant and instructor on gender and diversity issues at various corporations and universities. She passed away from lymphoma in 2017.