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Reviews tagging 'Sexism'
Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Pérez
166 reviews
vrhayes08's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.5
So much of the research in this book is alarming, moving, infuriating, and activating. I am thinking about the world differently now as a result of this book - paying more attention to the small aspects of design that affect our lives, to the ways that designing a world with in mind women would make the world better for everyone, to the absolutely maddening ways that women’s roles in society are undervalued and ignored.
This book shines a light on the experience of women from cultures around the world, not just developed nations. Still, there is more focus on developed nations (in part because we have more data on developed nations!). I did also feel that for a book talking about gender data gaps, this book ironically massively ignores the existence of non-binary and gender non-conforming people. Definitely a worthwhile read, but maybe needs a sequel about the invisibility of nb/gnc and intersex people in data (an even worse problem that also offers so much for society to learn from).
This book shines a light on the experience of women from cultures around the world, not just developed nations. Still, there is more focus on developed nations (in part because we have more data on developed nations!). I did also feel that for a book talking about gender data gaps, this book ironically massively ignores the existence of non-binary and gender non-conforming people. Definitely a worthwhile read, but maybe needs a sequel about the invisibility of nb/gnc and intersex people in data (an even worse problem that also offers so much for society to learn from).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
cyntismiles's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
3.0
First of all, I think this book is very well written and researched. It contains a lot of numbers and facts but manages to not be too dry. I think this is in large part to the author's writing voice. You can sense the passion behind the book and her dedication to this work. This may have been in part because I listened to the audiobook -- the author narrated it so they could have contributed to this sense of passion and purpose.
As a woman, this was not a fun read but a frustrating one. It's not super great to listen to 9 hours of being told all the ways in which the world was not made for you. Especially if this is something you are already aware of. It was interesting to learn the "why" behind things that are common frustrations in my life and the lives of people around me. Some of the why's led to a good idea about how to "fix" the issue but most of them were just "women weren't involved!". This is the whole theme of the book but it wasn't enough for me to feel like I had any new takeaways.
Also, if I was having these feelings as a generally privileged white person, I expect this would be more frustrating for women/not men with intersecting, marginalized identities. Many people who are treated as an "other" or "novelty" rather than the "default human" are hyper-aware of all the ways in which they are excluded. While it could be good information to have, it's mostly a depressing read.
I can imagine some people might find it validating to know other people face these issues too. Personally, I'm already aware that most of my frustrations are not unique to me so it was kind of just depressing. I truly want other people to live happy and fulfilling lives and it kind of sucks to listen to 9 hours of people having rough times that I already know exist.
I think because I identified with so much in the book, it made me want to read some books on my TBR highlighting the experiences of people who I don't necessarily identify with. This book would be most eye-opening to men (esp. cis white men). I think that's a good enough reason for me to find a book that would be most eye-opening to me as a white woman and read that instead. There are definitely more data/knowledge gaps that lead to the exclusion of marginalized groups. Since I already live the life of a woman, I have that data gap filled and I would like to explore an area I don't know as much about.
I'm all for feminism, fighting against gender-based (and other) inequalities, and doing what I can to make the world a better place. I just don't think this book really changed anything for me based on where I'm at and my personal experience. I mostly found myself frustrated and angry after I would finish a reading session and not in a productive, "let's change the world!" way but in an "I need to lie down" kind of way. Because of who I am at this moment in time, I don't think it's a productive use of my time to read more books like this as I want to maintain the will to act against inequalities rather than curl up in a ball.
I would recommend this book if you a) are treated as the default human (white man) or b) don't know much about gender inequality (beyond pretty commonly known things like the gender pay gap) and are looking for a place to start or c) are skeptical gender inequality exists.
I would not recommend this book if you:
1. don't like a bunch of stats
2. were hoping for a mild read (there are, in my opinion, some more graphic descriptions of violence and sexual violence)
3. already have an understanding of how people who aren't men are excluded and harmed in society
4. are looking for an intersectional or wholistic exploration of gender. This book focuses only on women -- sometimes woman is defined as performing as a woman (encompassing different sexes who all identify as women) BUT also as specifically cis-women (portions focus on the experience of people born afab). This is somewhat described in the beginning but tbh didn't make a ton of sense to me. Woman is kind of just thrown around and used to mean whatever the author needs at that time. I think this book has good info but it's definitely a pretty narrow look at gender.
P.S. I was very tickled by the mention of mathematical knitting/crochet near the very end. I think about mathematical knitting daily so I was thrilled. It was like a treat for pushing through the medical and pandemic chapters.
As a woman, this was not a fun read but a frustrating one. It's not super great to listen to 9 hours of being told all the ways in which the world was not made for you. Especially if this is something you are already aware of. It was interesting to learn the "why" behind things that are common frustrations in my life and the lives of people around me. Some of the why's led to a good idea about how to "fix" the issue but most of them were just "women weren't involved!". This is the whole theme of the book but it wasn't enough for me to feel like I had any new takeaways.
Also, if I was having these feelings as a generally privileged white person, I expect this would be more frustrating for women/not men with intersecting, marginalized identities. Many people who are treated as an "other" or "novelty" rather than the "default human" are hyper-aware of all the ways in which they are excluded. While it could be good information to have, it's mostly a depressing read.
I can imagine some people might find it validating to know other people face these issues too. Personally, I'm already aware that most of my frustrations are not unique to me so it was kind of just depressing. I truly want other people to live happy and fulfilling lives and it kind of sucks to listen to 9 hours of people having rough times that I already know exist.
I think because I identified with so much in the book, it made me want to read some books on my TBR highlighting the experiences of people who I don't necessarily identify with. This book would be most eye-opening to men (esp. cis white men). I think that's a good enough reason for me to find a book that would be most eye-opening to me as a white woman and read that instead. There are definitely more data/knowledge gaps that lead to the exclusion of marginalized groups. Since I already live the life of a woman, I have that data gap filled and I would like to explore an area I don't know as much about.
I'm all for feminism, fighting against gender-based (and other) inequalities, and doing what I can to make the world a better place. I just don't think this book really changed anything for me based on where I'm at and my personal experience. I mostly found myself frustrated and angry after I would finish a reading session and not in a productive, "let's change the world!" way but in an "I need to lie down" kind of way. Because of who I am at this moment in time, I don't think it's a productive use of my time to read more books like this as I want to maintain the will to act against inequalities rather than curl up in a ball.
I would recommend this book if you a) are treated as the default human (white man) or b) don't know much about gender inequality (beyond pretty commonly known things like the gender pay gap) and are looking for a place to start or c) are skeptical gender inequality exists.
I would not recommend this book if you:
1. don't like a bunch of stats
2. were hoping for a mild read (there are, in my opinion, some more graphic descriptions of violence and sexual violence)
3. already have an understanding of how people who aren't men are excluded and harmed in society
4. are looking for an intersectional or wholistic exploration of gender. This book focuses only on women -- sometimes woman is defined as performing as a woman (encompassing different sexes who all identify as women) BUT also as specifically cis-women (portions focus on the experience of people born afab). This is somewhat described in the beginning but tbh didn't make a ton of sense to me. Woman is kind of just thrown around and used to mean whatever the author needs at that time. I think this book has good info but it's definitely a pretty narrow look at gender.
P.S. I was very tickled by the mention of mathematical knitting/crochet near the very end. I think about mathematical knitting daily so I was thrilled. It was like a treat for pushing through the medical and pandemic chapters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
jeninchi's review against another edition
challenging
informative
slow-paced
3.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Gun violence, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, and War
alyssa_s10's review against another edition
challenging
informative
medium-paced
4.5
Really good at opening one's eyes to systematic sexism. A must read for any researchers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, and Sexism
Moderate: Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Domestic abuse
ampam's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Eye-opening, and disheartening.
While I have known the world was designed for men (the phone I'm typing on right now is too big for my small, but not unusually sized hands, to be used one-handed easily), seeing the extent of it in everything from air bags to policy was very revealing. The book illustrated in many facets the repercussions of not taking women into account, and none are positive. It is quite daunting how much needs to be changed, and the book unfortunately does not offer any solutions for the world to be made more equitable from the flaws it pointed out in its writing. Additionally, the book does not delve into detail other intersectional identities like race, or at all for more prejudiced-against groups like LGBTQIA* folks. Regardless, it is a recommended read to understand how pervasive the idea of only designing for men and refusing to consider women is.
While I have known the world was designed for men (the phone I'm typing on right now is too big for my small, but not unusually sized hands, to be used one-handed easily), seeing the extent of it in everything from air bags to policy was very revealing. The book illustrated in many facets the repercussions of not taking women into account, and none are positive. It is quite daunting how much needs to be changed, and the book unfortunately does not offer any solutions for the world to be made more equitable from the flaws it pointed out in its writing. Additionally, the book does not delve into detail other intersectional identities like race, or at all for more prejudiced-against groups like LGBTQIA* folks. Regardless, it is a recommended read to understand how pervasive the idea of only designing for men and refusing to consider women is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Rape, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
thebearnest's review against another edition
informative
sad
medium-paced
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Death, Rape, and War
ginabelle's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual violence
lindsaylhunter's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
3.5
Super informative and important. It likely didn't help my rating that I read much of this in one sitting as I often struggle with non-fiction and felt that powering through was my best option. Very heavy on the stats and figures but it highlights so many interesting and important facts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Miscarriage
franksalot's review against another edition
5.0
harrowing but important read, one that’ll i’ll be recommending to everyone in the future, especially men
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Death, Violence, and War
norwegianforestreader's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Hate crime, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Stalking, Car accident, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and War