Masculinity: Review & Resources

Reviewed by Vernita Naylor for Readers' Favorite

Have you ever wanted to know what men thought about the impact of absentee fathers, feminists, equality, masculinity, and other issues? Let's be a fly on the wall and get some insight into these questions and so much more by reading A Global Dialogue on Masculinity: 33 Men Speak Out by Gayle Kimball. This book offers personal discussions, interviews, and candid opinions from men of various countries. Normally women are the spokespersons for male-female relationships but now let's hear what the men have to say on the subject. The author interviewed thirty-three men representing different generations, ethnic groups, and sexual orientations from countries including Canada, the United States, China, India, Germany, and Africa. These men are part of several organizations including fathers' rights groups, men's studies, and support groups, which gives the reader a wide net perspective on how men see the world along with their input on some of the biases that they've been charged with collectively. 

Reading A Global Dialogue on Masculinity by Gayle Kimball displayed the importance of a father's role. Whether negative or positive, the relationship that a father has with his child or children impacts and influences their future. The negative encounter carries on for generations unless something or someone changes it. This book not only asks some tough questions but is instrumental in giving men a voice so that solutions can be found to give our boys a fighting chance to become better men and fathers.

Gayle does some heavy lifting in providing detailed information and resources about how we got here. She talks about women wanting bad boys, marrying up, college graduates, the prison system, traditions, gender roles, sexuality, and self-expression. As these topics are explored, it clearly shows within these interviews some of the challenges that men encounter. This platform allows men the ability to open up and express how they're really feeling. It's time to give our boys and men the space and support they need to heal. If you're looking for a book with a lot of resources along your journey to self-expression, either for yourself or the men in your life, add this one to your collection. Enjoy!

Want to stimulate discussion on Men's Issues and lifestyles. diversophy? offers four excellent games for this purpose:

Manhood 1 – Manhood 2 – Elderwise Guys – Detox Masculinity