About the Book
'You should read this book' Philippa Gregory
- The most lucrative industries are male-dominated - yet half of men think they're the ones being discriminated against.
- Post #MeToo, we're all committed to stamping out sexual harassment - but not to changing the conditions that foster it.
- Women work more hours than men and accumulate less wealth - while many children want more time with their dad.
Inequality in the workplace impacts all areas of our lives, from health and self-development to economic security and family life. But, despite the world's richest countries' long-avowed commitments to gender equality, there is still so much to fix - and so much we don't see.
With perceptive and razor-sharp insight, award-winning author Cordelia Fine reveals how the status quo - Patriarchy Inc. - is harming us all, in our working lives and beyond. Drawing on social and cultural history, examples from hunter-forager societies to high finance and the latest thinking in evolutionary science, she dismantles the existing, inadequate visions for gender equality and charts an inspiring path towards a fairer and freer society.
Table of Contents:
1: Divisions 2: Sex and Status 3: (Re)producing Fathers 4: Beyond Market-Thinking 5: Border Control 6: Differences 7: Girl, Uninterrupted? 8: From Equality to DEI 9: A New Vision
About the Author :
Cordelia Fine is a Canadian-born British academic and writer. Her work analyses scientific and popular biological explanations of behavioural sex differences and workplace gender inequalities, explores the effects of gender-related attitudes and biases on judgements and decision-making, and contributes to debates about workplace gender equality.She is the author of three popular science books, published in 13 languages. Among other accolades, Testosterone Rex won the Royal Society Insight Investment Science Book Prize. Delusions of Gender was listed in 'Ten books about women that will change your life' (Sunday Times), '22 books women think men should read' (Huffington Post), 'Top 10 books on women in the past 30 years' (The Australian) and the New York Public Library's 'Essential Reads on Feminism, 100 Years After the 19th Amendment', among others. In recognition of her work on the understanding of gender stereotypes, challenging gender perceptions and contributions to public discourse to close the gender gap, Cordelia Fine was awarded the 2018 Edinburgh Medal by the City of Edinburgh Council, to honour men and women of science who have made a significant contribution to the understanding and well-being of humanity. Cordelia is also a professor in the History & Philosophy of Science in the School of Historical & Philosophical Studies at the University of Melbourne.
Review :
'This book makes intriguing science and gender research come alive. It's a wonderful way of learning while enjoying great stories and occasionally laughing out loud.' ― Hon Julia Gillard AC, Former Prime Minister of Australia
'If you are a woman and have ever been trapped in a monologue with a man telling you about your "female nature" - you should read this book. If you are that man - I dare you to read it. If you are neither, you will love this book which shows that we have all been defined against the core of our true natures, and invites us to think again about what we might be and how we might live.' ― Philippa Gregory, Sunday Times-bestselling author of Normal Women
This book provides a timely analysis of how problematic patriarchal structures are negatively impacting our lives. It offers a comprehensive examination of prevalent myths and misconceptions surrounding gender equality issues in contemporary society, supported by robust scientific evidence. Cordelia doesn't shy away from taking on some of the established notions around gender and gender roles. This book is an essential resource for anyone interested in gender equity. ― Professor Heejung Chung, Director of the King's Global Institute for Women's Leadership and author of The Flexibility Paradox
'Combining feminist economics with a close analysis of scientific "justifications" for inequality, Fine offers fascinating, convincing answers to the question of why, if some women have so much choice and DEI initiatives are so widespread, men retain so much dominance in the workplace. As in Delusions of Gender and Testosterone Rex, complex ideas are delivered clearly and wittily, with the author once again unafraid to tackle research into sex differences that feminists are supposedly unable or unwilling to deal with. Both entertaining and enraging, this is a brilliant resource for any woman who has been told "it's not really a gender pay gap" or been faced with inclusion policies which tell her she's the one in need of fixing.' ― Victoria Smith, author of Hags
'Delusions of Gender skewered neurosexism. Testosterone Rex punctured inflated claims about the hormonal basis of gender. With Patriarchy Inc. Cordelia Fine now turns her fierce intelligence and wit to the world of work. The idea that men and women are different-but-equal is unmasked as naïve about the origins of sex differences and complacent about enduring inequities. The rival idea that diversity, equity, and inclusion are good for the bottom line is also pulled apart, shown to be driven by considerations of market value rather than human welfare or fairness. With her trademark command of theory, marshalling of social scientific evidence, and ear for le mot juste, Fine makes a powerful case for a new approach to gender in the workplace, one that would make work fairer, more secure, and more rewarding for all of us.' ― Professor Nick Haslam, School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne
'Why do women still earn so much less than men? If you thought it was just the playing out of biological differences or the judgements of the market, Cordelia Fine's excellent new book, erudite, witty and always a pleasure to read, will set you straight. She also explains clearly the complex cultural and social forces that actually maintain inequality and offers some radical and compelling suggestions on how we should move forward. It should be read by anyone who wants to understand gender in the twenty-first century.' ― Professor John Dupre, Egenis, The Centre for the Study of Life Sciences, University of Exeter
'Why is it that throughout the western world, most of the high-paid, high prestige posts are held by men? Not because this reflects innate differences in ability or personality. Not because it reflects average differences across the genders in human capital. Not because men and women have different conceptions of the good life, and make choices reflecting these. Not for any single, simple, reason. Patriarchy Inc. is informed, nuanced, penetrating, written with understated passion but wonderfully free of leaden moralising. ― Professor Kim Sterelny, School of Philosophy, Australian National University
In Patriarchy Inc., Cordelia Fine once again demonstrates her remarkable ability to provide a fresh and critical view, this time to tackle the persistent problem of gender inequality in the workplace. She skillfully dismantles both the 'Different But Equal' defense of workplace inequality and the corporate-friendly DEI approach, offering instead a compelling new framework for understanding how gender hierarchies persist in modern workplaces. Fine's characteristic wit and incisive thinking make this essential reading for anyone interested in creating genuinely fair and productive workplaces.' ― Professor Daphna Joel, School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University
'Cordelia Fine has done it again! Somehow, she is able to take a serious topic, decant decades of research into informative and persuasive prose, all whilst bringing a wry smile to the reader's lips. Fine illustrates how the pivot away from fairness arguments in the pursuit of gender equality to 'the business case' has failed to deliver. She punctuates the perpetual nature/nurture debate employing an interdisciplinary perspective to trace how and why contemporary gendered divisions of labour emerged and to resuscitate efforts to bring about a new vision of real equality for both women and men.' ― Professor Rosie Campbell, King's College London
