Procreative Man. - Review - book reviews

Journal of Sex Research, Nov, 1998 by Clinton J. Jesser

Procreative Man. By William Marsiglio. New York University Press, 1998, 282 pages. Cloth, $55. Paper, $18.95.

Reviewed by Clinton J. Jesser, Ph.D., Professor of Sociology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois 60115.

This is an excellent book. It comes at a time when there is a huge need to know more about men's lives beyond their heroics, demonics, or accomplishments. However, I'm afraid this book won't get the attention it deserves because the topic, procreative man, at first glance seems to be quite narrow. The reader will find that the book contains a variety of topics. I applaud Marsiglio for not assuming that all masculinity is toxic and that patriarchy lurks around every corner.

Marsiglio writes well. He has apprized himself of a large number of sources, studies and data, and has the edge of praxis in his involvement with aspects of men's lives. For example, he shares the experience of becoming a father and, in a very different arena, the experience of going to a Promise Keeper's weekend. I commend him for that.

I also appreciated how, from a research objectivity tone, he refreshingly discusses matters such as male bonding without poking a finger and giggling at "those silly, egocentric men."

Marsiglio's discussion of men's roles and identities as blueprinted in the social movements of religious groups (Promise Keepers, Muslims, etc.), men's rights and father's rights groups, and liberal feminist groups is one of the most sensitive, balanced, and informed that I have encountered. His professed objective is to provide an interdisciplinary overview and analytic synthesis of men's procreative lives. What he covers turns out to be much more than sexual intercourse. It includes the shaping of men's sexuality: their struggles with infertility, birth control, and the fact and consequences of conception; their interest (and lack of it) in their partner's pregnancy (now men can even follow the fetus on the ultrasound monitor); their confrontation with sperm banks, abortions, and family planning agencies that are run by and for women; surrogacy; and voluntary, denied, and forced paternity (DNA tests) as well as vasectomies.

Marsiglio presents his description and analysis largely within the perspective that has come to be known as symbolic interaction, script, and identity theory; yet surprisingly, I did not find enough passages where Marsiglio gave opportunities to men to speak in their own voices on various topics. This might have grounded this very interesting book even more.

Marsiglio is also insightful in showing how the rituals among women acknowledge and prepare women for pregnancy, gestation, delivery, and early infant care. "Where are those for men?" he seems to ask. Sperm donors are disallowed a relationship with the recipient whereas a gestational surrogate is often befriended by another woman. Marsiglio also acknowledges significant considerations involving the asymmetries in impregnation, gestation, and lactation between male and female physiologies, as well as in gains women have made in abortion rights, the availability of "the pill" starting in the 1950s, and employment opportunities and support for single mothers.

Finally, Marsiglio insightfully addresses some other important issues. Is an oral contraception for men on the horizon? Given birth control errors, should single men be forced to become fathers even if explicit or implicit prior agreements existed in the relationship to the effect that both viewed themselves as unready? On the other hand, should they be denied fatherhood when the partner terminates the pregnancy against his will and when he seems to be able to care and provide for the child?

These are some of the fine treats readers of this book can expect. Marsiglio is a pathblazer. The book deserves to be read by students; policy-makers; professionals in religion, health and medicine; social scientists; and even biologists.

Michael R. Steveson, Ph.D.

Department of Psychological Sciences Ball State University Muncie, IN 47306, USA