Multiple Gender Cultures, Sociology, and Plural Modernities: Re-reading Social Constructions of Gender across the Globe in a Decolonial Perspective

Western, European sociology has contributed to colonial modernity, with gender knowledge being a paradigmatic example. Multiple Gender Cultures, Sociology, and Plural Modernities critically engages with these 'Western eyes' and shifts the focus towards the global variety of gendered socialities and hierarchically entangled social histories. The authors examine the multifaceted realities of gendered life in varying contexts across the globe, providing a rereading of the social fabric of gender in contrast to androcentrist-modernist and orientalist representations. The volume explores key questions such as social mechanisms leading to conflicting or shifting gender dynamics, neocolonial gender regimes, the sociohistorical and cultural structuring of gender cultures, and the analysis of historical, cultural, social, and political specificities without gendered and other reifications. The volume aims to promote border thinking in sociological understanding of social reality towards multiple gender cultures and plural modernities.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 252 pages
Publication date: 01 August 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Western and European sociology has played a significant role in shaping the social reality of colonial modernity, and gender knowledge stands as a paradigmatic illustration of this phenomenon. To challenge these "Western eyes," Multiple Gender Cultures, Sociology, and Plural Modernities critically engages with the diverse range of gendered socialities and hierarchically entangled social histories across the globe. This is conceptualized as the presence of multiple gender cultures within plural modernities. The authors delve into the multifaceted realities of gendered life in various contexts worldwide, bringing together diverse perspectives to provide a rereading of the social fabric of gender in contrast to androcentrist-modernist and orientalist representations of "the gendered Other." The central questions explored in this volume revolve around the social mechanisms that lead to conflicting or shifting gender dynamics amidst global entanglements and interdependencies. Additionally, the extent to which neocolonial gender regimes are at play in this regard is examined. The volume seeks to explore how varying gender cultures are sociohistorically and culturally structured, as well as their interconnectedness within (global) power relations. It also aims to critically analyze established hierarchies and asymmetries, challenging their perpetuation. By avoiding gendered and other reifications, the volume strives to promote border thinking in sociological understanding of social reality toward multiple gender cultures and plural modernities.

Introduction:
Western and European sociology has played a pivotal role in shaping the social reality of colonial modernity, with gender knowledge serving as a paradigmatic example of this phenomenon. To challenge these "Western eyes," Multiple Gender Cultures, Sociology, and Plural Modernities critically engages with the diverse range of gendered socialities and hierarchically entangled social histories across the globe. This is conceptualized as the presence of multiple gender cultures within plural modernities. The authors delve into the multifaceted realities of gendered life in various contexts worldwide, bringing together diverse perspectives to provide a rereading of the social fabric of gender in contrast to androcentrist-modernist and orientalist representations of "the gendered Other." The central questions explored in this volume revolve around the social mechanisms that lead to conflicting or shifting gender dynamics amidst global entanglements and interdependencies. Additionally, the extent to which neocolonial gender regimes are at play in this regard is examined. The volume seeks to explore how varying gender cultures are sociohistorically and culturally structured, as well as their interconnectedness within (global) power relations. It also aims to critically analyze established hierarchies and asymmetries, challenging their perpetuation. By avoiding gendered and other reifications, the volume strives to promote border thinking in sociological understanding of social reality toward multiple gender cultures and plural modernities.

Multiple Gender Cultures:
In this section, the authors examine the multifaceted realities of gendered life in varying contexts across the globe. They explore how different societies have developed distinct gender cultures, shaped by historical, cultural, social, and political factors. The volume highlights the diversity of gendered experiences and expressions, challenging the notion of a universal or homogeneous understanding of gender. The authors emphasize the importance of recognizing and respecting the uniqueness of each gender culture, as well as the interconnectedness of these cultures within global power relations.

Sociology and Plural Modernities:
The authors of Multiple Gender Cultures, Sociology, and Plural Modernities critically engage with the sociological understanding of social reality. They argue that traditional sociological approaches, which often rely on "Western eyes" and prioritize the study of Western societies, fail to capture the full range of gendered socialities and hierarchically entangled social histories. By shifting the focus towards the global variety of gendered socialities and hierarchically entangled social histories, the volume seeks to provide a more comprehensive understanding of social reality.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, Multiple Gender Cultures, Sociology, and Plural Modernities offers a valuable contribution to the study of gender and social reality. By challenging traditional sociological approaches and promoting border thinking, the volume provides a rereading of the social fabric of gender in contrast to androcentrist-modernist and orientalist representations. It highlights the diversity of gendered experiences and expressions, emphasizes the importance of recognizing and respecting the uniqueness of each gender culture, and explores the interconnectedness of these cultures within global power relations. The volume aims to promote a more comprehensive understanding of social reality and contribute to the ongoing dialogue on gender, culture, and society.

Weight: 480g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367696078