Speaking of Sex explores a topic that frequently is absent from our discussions about sex: the persistence of sex-based inequality and the cultural forces that sustain it. On critical issues affecting women, most Americans deny either that gender inequality is a serious problem or that it is one which they have a personal or political responsibility to address. In tracing this "no problem" problem, Speaking of Sex examines the most fundamental causes of women's disadvantages and the inadequacy of current public policy to combat them.

This book presents a powerful case for the application of discursive psychology to feminism, guiding the reader through cutting-edge debates and providing valuable evidence of the benefits of discursive methodologies.

Examining tragedies and comedies by a variety of authors, she illustrates how the dramatic poets exploited speech conventions among both women and men to construct characters and to convey urgent social and political issues."--BOOK JACKET.

From the author of New York Times bestseller You're Wearing That? this bestselling classic work draws upon groundbreaking research by an acclaimed sociolinguist to show that women and men live in different worlds, made of different words. Women and men live in different worlds...made of different words. Spending nearly four years on the New York Times bestseller list, including eight months at number one, You Just Don't Understand is a true cultural and intellectual phenomenon. This is the book that brought gender differences in ways of speaking to the forefront of public awareness. With a rare combination of scientific insight and delightful, humorous writing, Tannen shows why women and men can walk away from the same conversation with completely different impressions of what was said. Studded with lively and entertaining examples of real conversations, this book gives you the tools to understand what went wrong -- and to find a common language in which to strengthen relationships at work and at home. A classic in the field of interpersonal relations, this book will change forever the way you approach conversations.

In Speaking From the Heart Professor Shields uses examples from everyday life, contemporary culture and the latest research, to illustrate how culturally shared beliefs about emotion are used to shape our identities as women and men and exposes the historically shifting and tacit assumptions these beliefs are based on. This fascinating exploration of gender and emotion covers everything from nineteenth century ideals of womanhood, to baseball and the new man and is a must read for anyone interested in the way emotion effects our everyday lives.

"International sex researcher, neuroscientist, and frequent contributor to The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Debra Soh [discusses what she sees as] gender myths in this ... examination of the many facets of gender identity"--