The Gender Knot: Unraveling Our Pariarchal Legacy

The Gender Knot is Allan Johnson’s response to the pain and confusion that men and women experience by living with gender inequality> It explains what patriarchy is and isn’t, how it works, and what gets in the way of understanding and doing something about it. Johnson’s simple yet powerful approach avoids the paralyzing trap of guilt, blame, anger, and defensive denial that often result from conversations about gender. He shows how we all participate in an oppressive system we didn’t create and how each of us can contribute towards its dissolution. He argues persuasively that something much better is possible and that our individual choices matter more than we can ever know. This revised, and updated edition features expanded discussions of: * the core characteristics of patriarchy and its power as a social system * the relationship between individuals and social systems * Women’s movement assessments of patriarchy and gender inequality * key-and controversial-terms such as sexism, privilege, and political correctness
“Allan Johnson has written one of the best, most readable, and most comprehensive accounts of patriarchy that is available in print, and this revised edition makes this important book even more useful and relevant.”
Paula Rothenberg, editor
Race, Class, and Gender in the United States
“The Gender Knot is a unique book that fills a void in the literature on gender. Highly accessible and a pleasure to read, Johnson never oversimplifies complex issues. His engaging style will appeal to a wide audience.”
Abby L. Ferber
Gender and Society
“This is a brilliant accounting of patriarchy. . . a long, hard and unflinchingly honest look at how patriarchy works. . . . It should be read by any woman or man who wants to get a clearer picture of how patriarchy works.”
Off Our Backs
As any knitter will tell you, the way to untangle a knot is not to pull hard on one end, but to gently shake the entire skein until all the threads are loosened. In this book, Allan Johnson gently and patiently shakes the patriarchal knot until each of the constituent threads becomes analytically clear. In doing so, he gives men a way to be part of unraveling that oppressive knot, rather than simply tugging defensively on their end.”
Michael Kimmel
author of Manhood in America: A Cultural History
“Johnson’s book is beautifully written and thoughtful, and provides compelling analyses of patriarchy and the powerful ideology that supports it and inhibits change. It is a guidebook for a life-changing adventure.”
Rebecca Bach, Contemporary Sociology
“At last a man who got it right . . . . he creates a unique political context in which women and men can have feminist conversations . . . . and brings a freshness to . . . feminism that encourages us and gives us hope.”
Selma Miriam, Bloodroot Feminist Bookstore
“An excellent gift for anyone who ‘just doesn’t get it’ about feminism.”
Arnold Kahn, Psychology of Women Quarterly

“This is a remarkable piece of work that . . . . will allow men both to accept responsibility for change and not be crushed by it or so discouraged as not even to begin.”
Nicholas Ayo, University of Notre Dame

“This is a good book. Why is it good? It’s well written, well argued, and nails all the key issues right on the head. It’s the best book I’ve seen in this genre.”
Michael Schwalbe, author of Unlocking the Iron Cage: The Men’s Movement, Gender Politics, and American Culture

. . . a good introduction for women as well as men, but most importantly, it is from a man who can clearly explain to men what’s happening and what they can do to change it.” Feminist Bookstore News