This is a self-help book inviting the reader to examine their own life and how personal and social myths impact and limit their choices. By understanding how these myths operate, you can re-evaluate their role in your life, see the pervasiveness of myths in other people's lives, and how their resistance to change is influenced by them. It provides tools for becoming an even stronger voice for change.

Freedom of choice is at the core of the American story. But what if choice is fake?Americans are fixated on the idea of choice. Our political theory is based on the consent of the governed. Our legal system is built upon the argument that people freely make choices and bear responsibility for them. And what slogan could better express the heart of our consumer culture than "Have it your way"?In this provocative book, Kent Greenfield poses unsettling questions about the choices we make. What if they are more constrained and limited than we like to think? If we have less free will than we realize, what are the implications for us as individuals and for our society? To uncover the answers, Greenfield taps into scholarship on topics ranging from brain science to economics, political theory to sociology. His discoveries—told through an entertaining array of news events, personal anecdotes, crime stories, and legal decisions—confirm that many factors, conscious and unconscious, limit our free will. Worse, by failing to perceive them we leave ourselves open to manipulation. But Greenfield offers useful suggestions to help us become better decision makers as individuals, and to ensure that in our laws and public policy we acknowledge the complexity of choice.

The bestselling author of The How of Happiness reveals how to find opportunity in life’s thorniest moments Focusing on life’s biggest, messiest moments, Sonja Lyubomirsky provides readers with the clear-eyed vision they need to build the healthiest, most satisfying life. Lyubomirsky argues that we have been given false promises—myths that assure us that lifelong happiness will be attained once we hit the culturally confirmed markers of adult success. This black-and-white vision of happiness works to discourage us from recognizing the upside of any negative and limits our potential for personal growth. A corrective course on happiness and a call to regard life’s twists and turns with a more open mind, The Myths of Happiness shares practical lessons that prove we are more adaptable than we think we are. It empowers readers to look beyond their first response, sharing scientific evidence that often it is our mindset—not our circumstances—that matters most.

Gender Is a Choice is a remarkable book that thoughtfully demystifies gender discrimination. It shows the underlying causes of discrimination, which lie deep in our cultures. Based on the human rights perspective of equality and dignity, Ms. Mukasa reaffirms that we are all born equal, without gender bias or prejudice, and we all share a propensity to learn, grow, and maximize our innate potential to lead meaningful, happy lives. However, societies have views based on cultural norms, attitudes, and beliefs that lead to unequal gender relations of power. As a result, many women and girls suffer. This highly educational book highlights the key gender concepts and gives them meaning through a practical family portrait at the end. Ms. Mukasa decisively affirms that despite powerful socialization processes, gender injustice can be overcome. The key issue to transform is the traditional socialization process. The main tool is to create awareness of the embedded negative aspects concerning women’s and men’s relationships. It calls upon men and women to appreciate that the current gender relations of power are unnatural and unacceptable. They are man-made and can be dismantled using our agency to make the right choices. Women’s disempowerment can be disrupted, and gender justice can be promoted. This book is relevant to all people since gender discrimination is universal and has universally negative consequences. Gender discrimination must therefore be disrupted everywhere, every time, by everyone. However, Ms. Mukasa makes her own choice to focus on the African gender context and the audience whose culture she understands best.

Veteran undergraduate text, first published in 1978, for courses in applied psychology and personal development. Updated for the current edition are discussion of cultural and gender issues as they reflect on personal choice and behavior; much new material (AIDS, sexual harassment). Offers tools such as self-inventories, personal reflection sections, activities, and exercises. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

The success of the civil rights movement demanded extraordinary courage of ordinary people. During her short life, Ruby Doris Smith Robinson became one of the most important leaders in the black struggle for equality. By age 24, Robinson's intelligence, brashness, and bravery had elevated her to a top leadership role in the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). Cynthia Griggs Fleming's beautifully written biography of this incredible woman demonstrates that Robinson's activism wasn't limited to racial equality—she was an equally eloquent and powerful voice for women's rights. Fleming provides new insights into the success, failures, peculiar contradictions, and unique stresses of Robinson's life. This book will appeal to all readers interested in African American and women's history.

50 Great Myths of Human Sexuality seeks to dispel commonly accepted myths and misunderstandings surrounding human sexuality, providing an enlightening, fascinating and challenging book that covers the fifty areas the author’s believe individuals must understand to have a safe, pleasurable and healthy sex life. Dispels/Explores commonly accepted myths and misunderstandings surrounding human sexuality Includes comparisons to other countries and cultures exploring different beliefs and how societies can influence perceptions Areas discussed include: pre-marital sex, masturbation, sexual diseases, fantasy, pornography, relationships, contraception, and emotions such as jealousy, body image insecurity, passionate love and sexual aggression Covers both heterosexual and same-sex relationships