No, Women Didn't Ruin the Workplace

In *Uncivil Agreement*, Lilliana Mason examines the growing social gulf across racial, religious, and cultural lines that have come to divide neatly between the two major political parties. She argues that group identifications have altered the way people think and feel about themselves and their opponents. Even when Democrats and Republicans can agree on policy outcomes, they tend to view each other with distrust and prioritize party victory. Mason combines theory from political science and social psychology to describe this 'social' type of polarization in American politics, highlighting its impact on democracy and political engagement.

In 'Of Boys and Men,' Richard V. Reeves delves into the complex and urgent crisis of boyhood and manhood. He discusses how profound economic and social changes have led to many boys and men losing ground in education, the workplace, and family life. Reeves presents detailed research on the structural challenges, including lower academic performance, declining labor force participation, and the specific hardships faced by black boys and men. He argues that both conservative and progressive politicians have failed to provide effective solutions and offers fresh, innovative proposals such as delaying boys' entry into school, increasing male teachers, and improving vocational education. The book emphasizes the need for a positive vision of masculinity in a more equal world without compromising gender equality.

In 'Lean In,' Sheryl Sandberg combines personal anecdotes, hard data, and compelling research to address the challenges women face in their careers. The book encourages women to 'sit at the table,' seek challenges, take risks, and pursue their goals with gusto. Sandberg provides practical advice on negotiation techniques, mentorship, and building a satisfying career, while also discussing the importance of work-life balance and equal partnership in household responsibilities. The book aims to change the conversation from what women can’t do to what they can, and it recognizes the structural and internal barriers that women face in achieving leadership roles.

Published in 1963, 'The Feminine Mystique' by Betty Friedan critiques the societal expectations that confined women to roles as housewives and mothers, arguing that these roles denied women their basic human need to grow and achieve personal fulfillment. Friedan coined the term 'feminine mystique' to describe the belief that women could find complete fulfillment in domestic duties alone. Through extensive research, including interviews with housewives, college students, and experts in psychology and education, Friedan exposed the widespread unhappiness among women and the detrimental effects of these societal norms on their mental and physical health. The book played a pivotal role in sparking the second-wave feminist movement, encouraging women to seek careers and personal achievements outside the home.