Among the central issues of the modern feminist movement, the debate over biology and culture over sex and gender, over genetics and gender roles has certainly been one of the most passionately contested. Making revolutionary arguments upon its first publication in 1953, The Natural Superiority of Women stands as one of the original feminist arguments against biological determinism. An iconoclast, Montagu wielded his encyclopedic knowledge of physical anthropology in critique of the conventional wisdom of women as the "weaker sex," showing how women's biological, genetic, and physical makeup made her not only man's equal, but his superior. Also a humanist, Montagu points to the emotional and social qualities typically ascribed to and devalued in women as being key to just social life and relationships. Subsequent editions of this book have provided additional support for Montagu's arguments, examining both biological and social scientific data of the late 20th century. One of the most broadly renowned and read scholars of our century, Montagu brings out this fifth edition with up-to-date statistics and references. A lengthy foreword by Susan Sperling contextualizes the book within the intellectual histories of feminism and anthropology, noting the huge social and intellectual changes that are spanned in Montagu's life and writing. Montagu's foundational book is an important addition to the library of all gender scholars.

chapter 1 Foreword by Susan Sperling chapter 2 Preface to the First Edition chapter 3 Preface to the Fifth Edition chapter 4 A Note to the Reader chapter 5 Chapter 1: The Natural Superiority of Women chapter 6 Chapter 2: The Subjection of Women chapter 7 Chapter 3: The Social Determinants of Biological "Facts" & Social Consequences chapter 8 Chapter 4: Who Said, "The Inferior Sex"? chapter 9 Chapter 5:"X" Doesn't Equal "Y" chapter 10 Chapter 6: The Sexual Superiority of the Female chapter 11 Chapter 7: Are Women More Emotional Than Men? chapter 12 Chapter 8: Was It True About Women? chapter 13 Chapter 9: The Intelligence of the Sexes chapter 14 Chapter 10: Women and Creativity chapter 15 Chapter 11:The Genius of Woman as the Genius of Humanity chapter 16 Chapter 12: Mutual Aid chapter 17 Chapter 13: Changing Traditions chapter 18 Chapter 14: Woman's Task chapter 19 Appendix A: U.N. Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women chapter 20 Appendix B: On the Origins of the Idea of the Natural Superiority of Women chapter 21 Notes chapter 22 Index