Sexism & Sensibility is a well written and layman accessible monograph on structural societal misogyny and sexism by Dr. Jo-Ann Finkelstein. Released 3rd Sept 2024 by Penguin Random House on their Rodale/Harmony imprint, it's 336 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.
It was an uphill climb to succeed professionally, personally, and societally as a woman in the past, but also in the present western world. Girls are told from the cradle about society's expectations for *their own* wants and needs and to sublimate the things they *need* and the people they *are* to fulfill someone else's (often anyone else's) desires.
The author makes many cogent points about where we are now, what improvement could look like, and some concrete suggestions on how to help the next generations of girls/women achieve self fulfilled, strong, necessary lives.
The book is written in entirely accessible, non-rigid language, but is also meticulously annotated throughout, and the chapter notes are likely worth the price of admission with lots of peer-reviewed references for further reading.
If progress is to be made, we must work together to achieve it. Especially given the current political climate and backlash against progressive, egalitarian ideals, fairness, equitability, and women's rights in general, this is a vitally important subject which needs to be discussed at all levels.
Five stars. Highly recommended to families, professionals who work with children (school counselors, psychologists, medical professionals, etc), as well as being a solid support text for allied studies (gender studies, psychology, education, etc). The research and references are up to date and as modern as possible, given the schedule for book publishing.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
