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Material Girls
- Why Reality Matters for Feminism
- Narrated by: Kathleen Stock
- Length: 8 hrs and 43 mins
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Material Girls
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Summary
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.
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)
What listeners say about Material Girls
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
- Chris Savage King
- 03-12-21
Everyday Feminism
Popular account of the current state of the sex/gender wars, recounted with wit and flair, and strong context. Accessible to general readers.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- nicboo
- 08-11-21
Absolutely brilliant.
No wonder this woman is hounded, they fear she'll open the eyes of many people to what's going on.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Penny
- 20-06-23
Excellent & Essential Reading
Kathleen Stock is right on point with this booked. Measured, intelligent, ensuring that the transfer/listeners understands the state of this issue without hyperbole, emotion just the plain old facts. Don’t let the fact that she is an academic put you off, this book is easy to digest and kept in plain English. An important book for all.
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- Cattus
- 16-06-23
This should be a compulsory text…
… not for students, but for teachers, civil servants, politicians, and everyone involved in policy making at the top of organisations. Stock shows HOW to think about these matters, while pressure groups are only interested in telling people WHAT to think, and how to enforce their policies within organisations. The difference is crucial. No wonder trans activists are scared of her.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 29-09-23
A brilliant, brave and vitally important book!
I would be amazed if any of Stock's critics had actually read this book - I fear instead they've been swept up in the righteous trendy fervour whipped up by some trans activists who (I now know thanks to this book, shocked to hear Stonewall's role in this) are outright lying to us by manipulating data and damaging feminism.
Thank you Kathleen for your bravery and calmly intelligent, evidence-based approach. I love your celebration of gender nonconformity, acceptance that language and categorisations aren't perfect, and your crystal clear explanation that trans people are trans people.
I really hope the world can move forward with the same intelligence and compassion for all humanity.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Dr. Peter Barrie
- 16-11-21
The Facts
Excellent book,fact filled and fair.Kathleen Stock is absolutely not transphobic,on the contrary she wants to understand the phenomenon.I agree with the fact that transwomen are not women but biologically 100% male and always will be so if you don’t agree with that you might not like this book which is researched very well and completely destroys some transactivists ideas which are pretty crazy.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- DRW1
- 20-12-22
Thoughtful
Thoughtful, well reasoned and carefully evidenced analysis. Compassionate and persuasive. Important reading for anyone concerned about the erosion of women's rights and lesbian/gay rights.
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- Marie Brown
- 07-07-23
Great material, and not just for girls.
A comprehensive and detailed review of this present-day war zone, which clearly explains the issues and controversies. I really enjoyed and thoroughly recommend this book.
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- KC H.
- 23-06-23
Logical and balanced examination of facts
At last someone saying compassionately but clearly what the vast majority of women think . Views I felt were somehow shameful to hold are examined carefully and validated .
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- peter whelan
- 25-06-23
A much needed counterbalance
Articulates a view counter to the current affirmation at all cost trend in gender theory. Everyone making decisions around trans rights should read this, especially if it’s outside your echo chamber.
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