Mars, Venus, or Planet Earth? Assembly Series speaker examines male/female relationships

Feb. 16, 2007 -- Michael Kimmel, a leading expert in the study of American male identity and behavior, will give a talk on "Mars, Venus, or Planet Earth? Women and Men in a New Millennium," as part of the Assembly Series. The talk, which is free and open to the public, will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 28 in Graham Chapel, on Washington University's Danforth campus.

Kimmel's pioneering work in the sociology of male culture has resulted in a better understanding of the complexity of gender identity and how it affects male/female relationships. He also examines the women's movement in this context, and offers insight into underlying reasons for sexual aggression, violence and harassment against women.

The State University of New York - Stonybrook sociologist is a prolific author, with a dozen books to his credit as well as numerous articles. His books include The Invisible Sex: Masculinity in Contemporary America, The History of Masculinity, and Manhood in America: A Cultural History. One review in the San Francisco Chronicle referred to this book as "the most wide-ranging, clear-sighted, and accessible book available on the mixed fortunes of masculinity in the United States." His articles have appeared in a wide range of publications, from the Harvard Business Review to Psychology Today. His theories and books are widely used in gender studies today.

As the national spokesperson for the National Organization for Men Against Sexism (NOMAS), Kimmel frequently lectures and runs workshops on preventing sexual harassment and implementing gender equity, as well as on date and acquaintance rape, sexual assault, pornography, and the changing relations between women and men.

He received a bachelor's degree from Vassar in 1972, a master's from Brown University in 1974, and a doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley in 1981.

The talk is co-sponsored by the student group, Reflections. Reflections is dedicated to educating the Washington University community on issues concerning eating disorders and body image, including the unhealthy thought processes that contribute to disordered eating.

For more information on this program please visit the Assembly Series Web site at http://assemblyseries.wustl.edu, or call 314-935-4620.