The Natural Superiority of Women

Among the central issues of the modern feminist movement, the debate over biology and culture over sex and gender, over genetics and gender roles has certainly been one of the most passionately contested. Making revolutionary arguments upon its first publication in 1953, The Natural Superiority of Women stands as one of the original feminist arguments against biological determinism. An iconoclast, Montagu wielded his encyclopedic knowledge of physical anthropology in critique of the conventional wisdom of women as the 'weaker sex,' showing how women's biological, genetic, and physical makeup made her not only man's equal, but his superior. Also a humanist, Montagu points to the emotional and social qualities typically ascribed to and devalued in women as being key to just social life and relationships. Subsequent editions of this book have provided additional support for Montagu's arguments, examining both biological and social scientific data of the late 20th century. One of the most broadly renowned and read scholars of our century, Montagu brings out this fifth edition with up-to-date statistics and references. A lengthy foreword by Susan Sperling contextualizes the book within the intellectual histories of feminism and anthropology, noting the huge social and intellectual changes that are spanned in Montagu's life and writing. Montagu's foundational book is an important addition to the library of all gender scholars. Ashley Montagu (1952). The Natural Superiority of Women. Macmillian New York "Dr. Montagu's The Natural Superiority of Women was a pioneer statement on sexism, first published some years before the emergence of the Women's Liberation movement. Even with the rise in Women's Consciousness today, the book remains a revolutionary volume, since it show the that superiority of women is a biological fact." From Back Cover. Additional Commentary "Woman knows what true love is; let her not be tempted from her knowledge by false ideas that man has created for her to worship Woman must stand firm and be true to her own inner nature; to yield to the prevailing false conceptions of love, of unloving love, is to abdicate her great evolutionary mission to keep human beings true to themselves, to keep them from doing violence to their inner nature, to help them to realize their potentialities for being loving and cooperative. Were women to fail in this task, all hope for the future of humanity would depart from the world".(p. 250) "I consider the theme of this book to be a most important one, for I am convinced, and I hope the reader will agree, that good relations between the sexes are basic to the development of good human relations in all societies" (p. 238.) "Women are the bearers, the nurtures of life; men have more often tended to be the curtailers, the destroyers of life." (p. 241). "Women must be granted complete equality with men, for only when this has been done will they fully be able to realize themselves" (p. 242). "All human beings should enjoy the rights that are theirs by virtue of their being human, and not one iota of their rights should ever be abridged on the ground of sex; but to secure them women will have to labor hard. It cannot be too often repeated that they will have to do most of the work themselves in improving their status. Getting laws passed will not be enough; the long hard pull will be to achieve full recognition and acceptance of their abilities in all phases of national and international life." (p. 243). "Human societies must be based on human relations first, and economic activities must be a function of human relations--not the other way round" (p. 243). "The sexes should not compete; they should cooperate and complement each other". (p. 245). "Women are the mothers of humanity; do not let us ever forget that or underemphasize its importance. What mothers are to their children, so will man be to man" (pp. 247- 248) "Women are the carriers of the true spirit of humanity--the love of the mother for her child. The preservation of that kind of love is the true function of women. And let me, at this point, endeavor to make it quite clear why I mean the love of a mother for her child and not the love of an equal for an equal or any other kind of love" (p. 248). Ashley Montagu (1952/1974). The Natural Superiority of Women Having Made Revolutionary Statements Upon Its First Publication In 1953, The Natural Superiority Of Women Stands As One Of The Original Feminist Arguments Against Biological Determinism. An Iconoclast, Montagu Wields His Encyclopedic Knowledge Of Physical Anthropology To Show How Women's Biological, Genetic, And Physical Characteristics Make Her Not Only Man's Equal, But His Superior. Also A Humanist, Montagu Points To The Emotional And Social Qualities Typically Ascribed To Women And Devalued As Being Central To The Attainment Of Equitable And Just Social Relations. One Of The Most Broadly Renown And Read Scholars Of Our Century, Montagu Brings Out This Fifth Edition With Up-to-date Statistics And References. A Lengthy Introduction By Susan Sperling Contextualizes The Book Within The Intellectual Histories Of Feminism And Anthropology, Assessing The Huge Social And Intellectual Changes That Are Spanned In Montagu's Life And Writing.--jacket. The Natural Superiority Of Women -- The Subjection Of Women -- The Social Determinants Of Biological Facts And Social Consequences -- Who Said, The Inferior Sex? -- When X Doesn't Equal Y -- The Sexual Superiority Of The Female -- Are Women More Emotional Than Men? -- Was It True About Women? -- The Intelligence Of The Sexes -- Women And Creativity -- The Genius Of Woman As The Genius Of Humanity -- Mutual Aid -- Changing Traditions -- Woman's Task. Ashley Montagu. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 303-323) And Index. "Having made revolutionary statements upon its first publication in 1953, The Natural Superiority of Women stands as one of the original feminist arguments against biological determinism."--BOOK JACKET. "An iconoclast, Montagu wields his encyclopedic knowledge of physical anthropology to show how women's biological, genetic, and physical characteristics make her not only man's equal, but his superior. Also a humanist, Montagu points to the emotional and social qualities typically ascribed to women and devalued as being central to the attainment of equitable and just social relations."--BOOK JACKET. "One of the most broadly renown and read scholars of our century, Montagu brings out this fifth edition with up-to-date statistics and references. A lengthy introduction by Susan Sperling contextualizes the book within the intellectual histories of feminism and anthropology, assessing the huge social and intellectual changes that are spanned in Montagu's life and writing."--BOOK JACKET.