Review of: Feminist Visions of Gender Similarities and Differences

Reviews the book, Feminist visions of gender similarities and differences by Meredith M. Kimball (see record 1995-99017-000). One purpose of the author in writing this book is to explore a central schism within feminist psychology, a schism that bifurcates the feminist psychology community. On the one hand, we have the minimalists, those who argue that the differences between the genders are nonexistent or are modest and irrelevant in most contexts. These are the equal-rights feminists, adherents of the similarities school. On the other hand, we find the maximalists who contend that indeed the genders are quite different on many dimensions and that the qualities of women are important, significant and of value. These are the essentialists, disciples of the differences school. In fleshing out the nature of these two perspectives, Professor Kimball observes the extent of the impact of each view in terms of influencing questions asked, methodologies chosen, theories preferred, and political goals articulated. In her typically even-handed treatment of issues, Kimball also presents the deficiencies of each approach. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: journal abstract)