Mapping Difference : The Many Faces of Women in Contemporary Ukraine

"Notably the authors resist the temptation to proclaim varied strategies proof of an actually existing feminism, offering instead a multi-voiced and rich narrative of the transformation of women's position in post-Soviet Ukraine." * Social Analysis "What makes the volume stand out is its rich offer of original empirical material and first-hand accounts. The fact that the authors are women with different cultural and academic heritage makes the volume an exciting example of 'East-West' dialogue on the meaning of gender and womanhood...this volume has a lot to offer to all those studying contemporary Ukraine from different disciplinary angles." * Slavonica "...[A]n impressive and multifaceted assessment of the monumental changes that have occurred for women in Ukraine since independence from the Soviet Union. The articles are all of considerable interest and topical, and mesh well together as a unified whole into a comprehensive and fine collection." * Michael M. Naydan, The Pennsylvania State University "A bold attempt to engage gender studies in constructing a narrative about modern Ukraine...This is Ukraine as it has never been seen before." * Ewa M. Thompson, Rice University "...a unique and unprecedented effort to bring together the views of Ukrainian and North American scholars on issues relating to gender and gender politics in Ukraine today." * from the Foreword Drawn from various disciplines and a broad spectrum of research interests, these essays reflect on the challenging issues confronting women in Ukraine today. The contributors are an interdisciplinary, transnational group of scholars from gender studies, feminist theory, history, anthropology, sociology, women's studies, and literature. Among the issues they address are: the impact of migration, education, early socialization of gender roles, the role of the media in perpetuating and shaping negative stereotypes, the gendered nature of language, women and the media, literature by women, and local approp