C. J. Pascoe

This book clearly illustrates the institutionalized sexism and distorted and detrimental formations of masculinity within a typical American high school. Pascoe's book, though its findings are rather grim, is very readable; this is both an advantage and a deficiency. The book's accessibility increases the range of its audience and the exposure to these issues that this accessibility facilitates is, of course, a good thing. Alternatively, the lack of theoretical investigation and argument leaves us with the production of questions rather than their analysis. Theory here is used as a slightly awkward supplement in a book that speaks plainly to shocking effect. Overall, this is an important book exploring notions of adolescent gender roles and sexuality within education that confronts major issues which need to be addressed, and hopefully this work will open a path for future investigations of the subject.… (more)