Men Talk: Stories in the Making of Masculinities

Men Talk: Stories in the Making of Masculinities

Publisher
Blackwell
Published
2002
Pages
219
ISBN-13
9780631220459
Format
print
Language
English

Men Talk draws on rich conversational material from a wide range of contexts to illuminate our understanding of men and masculinities at the turn of the millennium. Draws on rich …

Book Summary
Men Talk by Jennifer Coates explores how men construct masculinities through storytelling in all-male conversations. Drawing on data from garage mechanics, carpenters, and academics, it reveals how stories reinforce or challenge masculine identities. This accessible academic study offers a distinctive contribution to understanding the intersection of language and masculinity, making it valuable for students and researchers in linguistics, gender studies, and sociology.
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About Men Talk: Stories in the Making of Masculinities

In Men Talk, Jennifer Coates analyzes rich conversational data from a variety of all-male settings—garage mechanics on a break, carpenters at the pub, and university academics chatting after hours—to illuminate how masculinities are performed and negotiated through storytelling. Focusing on stories told in all-male groups, Coates demonstrates that narrative is a key site for the construction of masculine identities. The book examines how men use stories to position themselves and others, to affirm solidarity, and to manage conflict. By combining detailed linguistic analysis with sociological insight, Coates makes a distinctive contribution to the study of language and masculinity at the turn of the millennium. This work is essential for anyone interested in how talk shapes gender.

Who should read Men Talk: Stories in the Making of Masculinities?

This book is ideal for undergraduate and postgraduate students in linguistics, gender studies, and sociology, as well as researchers interested in language and masculinity. It will also appeal to professionals in communication studies, anthropology, and cultural studies who seek empirical grounding in conversational analysis. Anyone curious about how men's everyday talk constructs identity will find it accessible and illuminating, though a basic familiarity with discourse analysis is helpful.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • ✓ Provides rich, authentic conversational data from diverse male settings
  • ✓ Offers a clear and detailed linguistic analysis of storytelling
  • ✓ Makes a significant contribution to the study of language and masculinity
  • ✓ Written in an accessible style suitable for students and researchers
  • ✓ Includes examples that bring theoretical concepts to life
Cons
  • ✗ May be too specialized for general readers without linguistics background
  • ✗ Focuses primarily on British English contexts, limiting generalizability
  • ✗ Some readers may find the academic tone dense in places
  • ✗ Limited discussion of non-Western or online masculinities
  • ✗ Assumes familiarity with discourse analysis terminology
Frequently asked questions
What is the main focus of Men Talk?
The book focuses on how men use storytelling in all-male conversations to construct and negotiate masculinities, drawing on linguistic data from various settings.
Is this book suitable for someone without a linguistics background?
While accessible, it assumes some familiarity with discourse analysis. General readers interested in gender may still find it valuable but might need to consult introductory materials.
What kinds of conversations does the book analyze?
It analyzes conversations among garage mechanics on a break, carpenters at the pub after work, and university academics chatting after hours, among others.
Does the book include practical applications?
It is primarily a research monograph, but its insights can inform communication training, gender awareness workshops, and further research.
How does this book contribute to masculinity studies?
It offers a detailed empirical look at how masculinities are enacted in everyday talk, bridging linguistics and gender studies with a focus on narrative.

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