Material Girls cover art

Material Girls

Why Reality Matters for Feminism

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Material Girls

By: Kathleen Stock
Narrated by: Kathleen Stock
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About this listen

Material Girls is a timely and trenchant critique of the influential theory that we all have an inner feeling known as a gender identity, and that this feeling is more socially significant than our biological sex.

Professor Kathleen Stock surveys the philosophical ideas that led to this point, and closely interrogates each one, from De Beauvoir's statement that, 'One is not born, but rather becomes a woman' (an assertion she contends has been misinterpreted and repurposed), to Judith Butler's claim that language creates biological reality, rather than describing it. She looks at biological sex in a range of important contexts, including women-only spaces and resources, healthcare, epidemiology, political organisation and data collection.

Material Girls makes a clear, humane and feminist case for our retaining the ability to discuss reality, and concludes with a positive vision for the future, in which trans rights activists and feminists can collaborate to achieve some of their political aims.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2021 Kathleen Stock (P)2021 Hachette Audio UK Gender Studies LGBTQ+ Studies Social Sciences Discrimination Mental Health Health

Critic Reviews

"A clear, concise, easy-to-read account of the issues between sex, gender and feminism...an important book." (Evening Standard)

"A call for cool heads at a time of great heat and a vital reminder that revolutions don't always end well." (Sunday Times)
All stars
Most relevant
I was pleased to find a book that engaged with the topic trans identity from a philosophical perspective. I was blown away by the depth of analysis and exploration of the topic. An expert piece presented brilliantly. I’ll be listening to this again and again.

One of the most needed books on this topic

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Clear, concise, rational, and reasonable. Everything I could have hoped for. Thank you Dr Stock

Excellent

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Lovely listen.
The author is very logical and methodically presents the case, definitions and arguments/evidence.
The narration is clear and easy on the ear.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who's been confused about the terms transsexual and or a woman.

Logical and methodical

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This book takes such a divisive topic and speaks so logically whilst remaining empathetic. A must read for all parents and women!

A very important book

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Great to see and hear some credible common sense backed by data. Well worth listening to.

Brilliant

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