The Presence of the Past

Investigates patriarchal structures and practices which impinge on the lives of men and women and either facilitate male privilege or work against female equality. Implicit in Jan Horsfall's book is the belief that both violence and masculinities are socially constructed.

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"How does our society make it possible that some men will be violent to the women they love?", Jan Horsfall. "The Presence of the Past" investigates patriarchal structures and practices which ipinge on the lives of men and women and either facilitate male privilege or work against female equality. Implicit in Jan Horsfall's question is the belief that both vilence and masculinities are socially constructed; the book provides some answers to this question. Horsfall's approach is both sociological and feminist, and a link is made between a range of different bodies of literature, thus raising the phenomenon above the level of individeual biology of psychology, and locating it in the broader social context, drawing out the links between violence, gender constructions and power relations. It focuses resolutely on men, and many of the connections made are new or have hitherto been intellectually marginalized. The law, the social security tax system, the employment/unemployment wage system and male ideologies which are embedded in professional practices are all implicated.
"The Presence of the Past" also examines spousal power relations and the way emotional distance between fathers and sons creates low self-esteem and insecurities - characteristics typical of men who are violent towards women. Men with high emotional-dependency needs abrogate parental responsibilities, displaying behavioural patterns typical of incest perpetrators and rapists. While such men deny responsibility for their behaviour, women are powerless to stop their violence. It challenges men to be brave enough to begin taking responsibility for their actions and inactions, individually and collectively. "The Presence of the Past" offers suggestions for the way ahead. It is, ultimately, a positive book. "Jan Horsfall is Senior Lecturer in Community Health at the University College of Northern Victoria.". This book is intended for students and researchers in gender studies and sociology.