Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Original poster

Deborah Soh: The End of Gender

36 replies

Gncq · 12/10/2020 19:07

www.amazon.co.uk/End-Gender-Debunking-Identity-Society/dp/1982132515?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Hello, anyone read this?
Should i get it?

OP posts:
Original poster
Gncq · 13/10/2020 13:14

Oh dear, so she's a bit biological essentialist? Well ok at least I know now!
I'll think I'll get it anyway.

OP posts:
FWRLurker · 13/10/2020 00:10

from what I hear it's broadly GC (critical of gender roles).

Soh is critical of trans gender identity and yet believes in natural/innate gender roles. She sees herself as exceptional because she is female but can do science. Something to do with extra testosterone during development.

Her view is “boys are like this/girls like this” but with room for a small number of exceptions including herself.

Socrates11 · 12/10/2020 23:10

This thread looks at Soh's arguments. I find that she assumes/generalises too much for a serious scientist. Difficult to say that all her claims are well evidenced. www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3998353-gender-is-not-a-social-construct

persistentwoman · 12/10/2020 22:05

I really enjoyed the lengthy podcast with Jo Rogan. They covered so many issues, didn't always agree and it was fascinating. Well worth a listen.

Thingybob · 12/10/2020 21:49

I read it and agreed with most of her arguments. It won't however appeal to some on here as one of her basic principles is that male and female brains are (on average) different.

The kindle free sample is quite a good chunk so should be enough for you to decide if it's your cup of tea or not.

NChat · 12/10/2020 21:06

I saw a brief talk of hers and I'm pretty sure she believes in pink/blue brains. I remember a "better than 50% detection of male/female brains" line. I think she deliberately conflated gender and sex, there is no "gender" only the sexed brain which decides roles. I can't quite remember how that tied into other issues.

Too lazy to look now, but can dig it up later. The Youtube algorithm recommended it to me. I haven't seen any of the interviews mentioned. So maybe I misunderstood her stance...

wellbehavedwomen · 12/10/2020 21:01

She's great. Thoughtful, clever and bluntly honest.

SmallPug · 12/10/2020 20:20

I have it but haven’t read it yet. She is gender critical. She does also mix up sex and gender too much I think (from her interviews - will have to see in book). She is pro-porn. She has said she isn’t a feminist. I think she’s interesting to have in the debate.

Original poster
Gncq · 12/10/2020 19:56

I've become cynical in my old age... In the blurb, she claims to be an "expert in sex/gender" well we all know the types who claim to be experts in this field and where that leads!

I thought here would be the best place to check.

Thanks for the link persistentwoman I shall check it out.

OP posts:
persistentwoman · 12/10/2020 19:13

She did a really interesting podcast with Jo Rogan, here:

OhHolyJesus · 12/10/2020 19:12

She was on Benjamin Boyce - I think it's good, haven't read it but from what I hear it's broadly GC (critical of gender roles).