06/15/2018
Presenting "an overview of the influence of demographic patterns…on gender roles…" and illustrating how the "changing economic base…changed the division of household labor," Shehan (sociology, Univ. of Florida; Marriages and Families, 2d ed.) offers a chronologically arranged collection of primary source documents. Organized by broad historical periods (1775–1850; 1850–1900; 1900–30; 1930–55; 1955–75; 1975–90; 1990–2008; 2008-present), the volumes trace changing views of women's roles in U.S. society and the development of the women's rights movement. Chapters begin with essays outlining women's roles during each era, followed by short bibliographies and reprints of related primary source documents from magazines, letters, books, blogs, government documents, academic/professional research, and media resources (e.g., Thomas Paine's "Occasional Letter on the Female Sex," Girl Scout Handbook). Documents begin with headnotes introducing background information and end with full citations. This is a strong supplement to other titles such as Kevin Nadal's The Sage Encyclopedia of Psychology and Gender, Linda Lindsey's Gender Roles: A Sociological Perspective, and Noel Merino's Gender Roles. VERDICT The primary source documents are the set's most valuable feature. Anyone interested in women's studies and the development of the women's rights movement as viewed through historical documents will find this set appealing.—Laurie Selwyn, formerly with Grayson Cty. Law Lib., Sherman, TX
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