Are women and men biologically destined to be in perpetual conflict? Does evolutionary genetics adequately explain sexual aggression? Such questions have been much debated in both the media and academia. In particular, the notion that rape is an evolutionary adaptation, put forth by Randy Thornhill and Craig T. Palmer in their book A Natural History of Rape (MIT Press, 2000), vaulted the debate into national prominence. This book assesses Thornhill and Palmer's ideas, as well as the critical responses to their work. Drawing on theory and data from anthropology, behavioral ecology, evolutionary biology, primatology, psychology, and sociology, the essays explain the flaws and limitations of a strictly biological model of rape. They argue that traditionally stereotyped gender roles are grounded more in culture than in differing biological reproductive roles. The book is divided into three parts. The first part, "Evolutionary Models and Gender," addresses broad theoretical and methodological issues of evolutionary theory and sociobiology. Part 2, "Critiquing Evolutionary Models of Rape," addresses specific propositions of Thornhill and Palmer, making explicit their unexamined assumptions and challenging the scientific bases for their conclusions. It also considers other studies on biological gender differences. Part 3, "Integrative Cultural Models of Gender and Rape," offers alternative models of rape, which incorporate psychology and cultural systems, as well as a broader interpretation of evolutionary theory.

Product Description: This new volume challenges traditional perspectives into female sexuality and helps pave the way for revised understandings of women's sexuality. Top feminist scholars begin the task of molding conceptual models and methods of inquiry that will help shape a science for and about women...read more (view table of contents, read Amazon.com's description)

Product Description: Book by Travis, Cheryl Brown, McLean, Barbara E.

Product Description: Biomedical Issues closely examines issues such as cyclic biology, programming, birth surgery, and cancer and provides information on national trends in health care. It presents overviews of research issues and methods, while integrating the social psychological significance of these events as experienced by individual women...read more

Product Description: The author proposes that the conditions, events, and experiences that contribute to serious mental health problems for a percentage of women, will at some point be experienced by all. Mental Health Issues presents two basic themes: that social contexts and frameworks are experienced and expressed, and then subconsciously internalized as part of the self; and that specific diagnostic conditions, such as depression, alcoholism, or eating disorders, can emerge from dynamics that are experienced by most women...read more