Overview

Good Will Toward Men is a provocative and constructive collection of in-depth dialogues between Jack Kammer-a Baltimore-based writer and men's issues advocate-and twenty-two accomplished, diverse women from across North America. The participants include attorneys, therapists, academics, journalists, and activists who speak candidly about masculinity, fatherhood, and the current state of gender relations. The book's central premise is that the national conversation on gender has been dominated by a female-centered perspective, leaving men's legitimate concerns unspoken, unaddressed, and socially stigmatized. Kammer and his interviewees challenge a culture that scrutinizes sexism against women while treating sexism against men as trivial or nonexistent. Key Themes and Concepts Sexism as a ""Reciprocating Engine"" The book posits that sexism is a vicious cycle harming both genders. It suggests that women cannot achieve true autonomy as long as men remain strait-jacketed by rigid societal stereotypes. The Maximum Security Prison of Manhood: Social norms-reinforced by both conservative and feminist frameworks-imprison men in narrow roles. While often perceived as having power and privilege, men face harsh realities including higher suicide rates, shorter lifespans, emotional isolation, and the onerous duty of being valued primarily only for their role as an economic provider. Fatherhood as the Holy Grail of Masculinity: A major focus is the devaluation of fathers in work/life balance, divorce, custody law, and social policy. The contributors argue that the concept of the disposable father is a social malady and they advocate for shared custody, recognizing that children and men suffer when fatherhood is reduced to a mere financial obligation. The 2025 Edition and Updated ""Theory of the Case"" The 2025 edition includes three new appendices and updated introductions discussing how the gender landscape has shifted over three decades. Kammer lays out the case that modern feminism has strategically slandered men, particularly about traits that are essential to effectiveness and success in parenthood and family relationships to preserve women's dominance in those arenas. Notable Voices The interviewees represent a broad ideological spectrum, featuring figures such as: Karen DeCrow: President of NOW, 1974-1977 (equal options for men are essential for women's equality) Helen Fisher: Anthropologist (discussing sexual harassment and sexuality). Suzanne Steinmetz: Sociologist (discussing domestic violence against men). Rikki Klieman: Attorney (discussing false rape accusations). Conclusion and Tone The book maintains an earnest, accessible, and bridge-building tone. By featuring women making the case for fairness toward men, the book provides the argument with unique credibility and emotional resonance.

Full Product Details

9798993548890

Table of Contents

Reviews

""This book will help our relationships with men."" - Jan Halper, Ph.D., author of Quiet Desperation: The Truth About Successful Men ""A great and important book... a masterpiece... a rallying point for women and men of good will."" - Doug Gillette, co-author of King, Warrior, Magician, Lover ""Opens up the conversation between men and women in ways it has never been opened before."" - Geoffrey Greif, Ph.D., author of Single Fathers ""Eminently readable... A welcome and needed book."" - Nadine Strossen, National President, ACLU; Professor of Law, The New York Law School ""A provocative book that makes us take another look at what women really think about men."" - Carol Cassell, Ph.D., author of Tender Bargaining: Negotiating an Equal Partnership With the Man You Love ""This wonderful book makes enchanting reading. The many voices of these diverse, intelligent women make powerful testimony for sanity and humanity. This is an important early step toward amnesty in the war between the sexes."" - Katherine Dunn, author of Geek Love ""An open-minded reading could go a long way toward healing the pain of betrayal felt by both men and women."" - John Amodeo, Ph.D., author of Love and Betrayal, co-author of Being Intimate ""An important book, bound to stir controversy and, if read carefully, to stir the dialogue between men and women."" - James A. Levine, Ph.D., Director, The Fatherhood Project, Families and Work Institute

Author Information

Jack Kammer started a radio show on men's issues in 1983. From his weekly interviews he quickly came to see that serious social problems are enmeshed in fallacious thinking and reasoning about what men and boys want and need. In 2005 he left his IT job and entered a dual Masters degree program Social Work in Business in the hope he could find work in social services or public policy related to the social needs of men and boys. No such job materialized. He did, however, find work as a correctional officer in the infamous Baltimore City jail, then as a Parole & Probation agent in central Baltimore and then as a trainer for National Fatherhood Initiative on running the InsideOut Dad program for incarcerated fathers. He is the author of three books on male gender issues and is now retired but still actively advocating for men and boys. Cathy Young emigrated from the Soviet Union to the United States in 1979 at the age of sixteen. She is the author of Growing Up in Moscow, a memoir of her life in Russia. Karen DeCrow was president of the National Organization for Women from 1974 to 1977. She is a co-author, with Robert Seidenberg, of Women Who Marry Houses: Panic and Protest in Agoraphobia.

Tab Content 6

Countries Available