Misogyny by Jack Holland
Misogyny
The World’s Oldest Prejudice
by Jack Holland
Published September, 2006
I have read author Jack Holland's Misogyny twice. My first read was a devouring of the work. My second read was a slower, and more considered one. An incredible undertaking, this honest, objective march through women's history. In his work, the author investigates the biological, religious, political and sexual attitudes, tainted with misogyny, that have aided in the suppression of women. Much of Mr. Holland’s book is a hard-read, because of the descriptions of the horrendous acts perpetrated against women, that he sets before us. Yet, truth is often not appealing. It is sometimes brutally ugly, in its raw honesty. Mr. Holland’s work is a gift to the world, and a very real contribution to furthering the cause of human rights.
The author sets before us historical evidence of the current of hatred displayed by men, against women, throughout the ages, unto this, our 'modern age'. That current yet pulses, as is evidenced by the continued prejudice, injustice, intolerance, brutalization and subjugation, examples of which, we see daily, around the world, as to women. Even in our so-called enlightened societies, that current is felt. Not as easily detected, perhaps, in countries where social laws have been implemented to curb discriminatory anti-female behavior and acts, not surface visible, but there, just the same.
Jack Holland states, in his Introduction to Misogyny: ' The hatred of women affects us in ways that no other hatred does because it strikes at our innermost selves. It is located where the private and public worlds intersect. The history of that hatred may dwell on its public consequences, but at the same time it allows us to speculate on why, at the personal level, man's complex relationship to woman has permitted misogyny to thrive.'
From ancient Greece and Rome, down through the ages, the author cites the evidence of misogyny. We read how female infants in Greece and Rome would often be abandoned upon rubbish heaps. Husbands would counsel their wives,’ If-good luck to you!-you bear offspring, if it is a male, let it live; if it is female, expose it.’ We scrutinize the Victorian Age, where we find an 1867 British Medical Journal description of a clitoridectomy, performed by Mr. Isaac Baker Brown. This procedure was looked upon by enthusiasts as a ‘cure’ for masturbation-induced ‘women’s diseases’, such as melancholia, hysteria and nymphomania. Down through the ages, Mr. Holland takes us, and he proves that the treatment of women, throughout history, must be considered the greatest abuse of human rights.
I have shared the book with my husband, and I have recommended Misogyny: The World’s Oldest Prejudice to both my adult daughters. I intend to set aside copies, to be given to my grandchildren. It is a must-read for anyone seeking some enlightenment as to the how and why of what has been the female experience, throughout history.
The author sets before us historical evidence of the current of hatred displayed by men, against women, throughout the ages, unto this, our 'modern age'. That current yet pulses, as is evidenced by the continued prejudice, injustice, intolerance, brutalization and subjugation, examples of which, we see daily, around the world, as to women. Even in our so-called enlightened societies, that current is felt. Not as easily detected, perhaps, in countries where social laws have been implemented to curb discriminatory anti-female behavior and acts, not surface visible, but there, just the same.
Jack Holland states, in his Introduction to Misogyny: ' The hatred of women affects us in ways that no other hatred does because it strikes at our innermost selves. It is located where the private and public worlds intersect. The history of that hatred may dwell on its public consequences, but at the same time it allows us to speculate on why, at the personal level, man's complex relationship to woman has permitted misogyny to thrive.'
From ancient Greece and Rome, down through the ages, the author cites the evidence of misogyny. We read how female infants in Greece and Rome would often be abandoned upon rubbish heaps. Husbands would counsel their wives,’ If-good luck to you!-you bear offspring, if it is a male, let it live; if it is female, expose it.’ We scrutinize the Victorian Age, where we find an 1867 British Medical Journal description of a clitoridectomy, performed by Mr. Isaac Baker Brown. This procedure was looked upon by enthusiasts as a ‘cure’ for masturbation-induced ‘women’s diseases’, such as melancholia, hysteria and nymphomania. Down through the ages, Mr. Holland takes us, and he proves that the treatment of women, throughout history, must be considered the greatest abuse of human rights.
I have shared the book with my husband, and I have recommended Misogyny: The World’s Oldest Prejudice to both my adult daughters. I intend to set aside copies, to be given to my grandchildren. It is a must-read for anyone seeking some enlightenment as to the how and why of what has been the female experience, throughout history.
--Jeannine Schenewerk
Copyright © 2006 Jeannine Schenewerk
posted by Jeannine Schenewerk | 4:21 PM
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