Feminism and the female body
Subtitle: liberating the Amazon within
By: Shirley Castelnuovo & Sharon R. Guthrie.
Contributors: Guthrie, Sharon Ruth, 1950-
Series: Gender and political theory
Publisher: L. Rienner Publishers
Published: 1998
Place of publication: Boulder
Language: eng
Number of pages: 181
Subjects: Feminist theory -- United States; Body, Human -- Social aspects -- United States; Body, Human -- Political aspects -- United States; Amazons; Women bodybuilders -- United States; Women martial artists -- United States; Women athletes -- United States
Description: The authors challenge the Cartesian emphasis on mind that characterizes much feminist theory, offering instead a perspective that conceives of mind and body as a unity. They examine the construction of terrorized female bodies, how this construction is affected by age, class, race, and sexual preference, and how women who resent the status quo are developing themselves physically.

They conclude by proposing a politics of feminist embodiment in which women use collective "care-of-the-self" practices that empower both their bodies and their minds. Extensive interviews with women involved in bodybuilding, self-defense training, and similar activities provide the empirical context of this original theoretical analysis.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 167-171) and index.