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staciek3's review against another edition
4.0
While this book is definitely geared towards folks who are wondering if they were born in the right birthday suit, experiencing gender fluidity, or just curious about gender, I found some golden nuggets in here as a cis woman.
The first nugget is that while some folks are learning that gender is not as binary as they were taught during their life, this is not new news... Intersex, asexual, transgender, etc. has been in the world since humans have.
The other nugget is that if you feel comfortable as a cis man or woman, it doesn't give you the right to ask very personal questions to those who do not... It's not your place, it's personal, and private. If someone wants you to know their story, they will tell you.
The first nugget is that while some folks are learning that gender is not as binary as they were taught during their life, this is not new news... Intersex, asexual, transgender, etc. has been in the world since humans have.
The other nugget is that if you feel comfortable as a cis man or woman, it doesn't give you the right to ask very personal questions to those who do not... It's not your place, it's personal, and private. If someone wants you to know their story, they will tell you.
clacksee's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
4.5
Everyone should read this. Seriously, everyone.
mikuchu's review against another edition
challenging
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
4.0
tellingetienne's review against another edition
5.0
I took a really long time with this book, I wanted to be able to make sure that I paced myself and could really absorb what was being laid out by the authors of How to Understand Your Gender. I am thrilled that a book like this exists. I'm thrilled as a genderqueer/non-binary person, and I am over the moon to see it as a librarian. I feel like this title should be an essential piece of any library collection.
Iantaffi and Barker are both mental health professionals who are trans-identified. They state in their introduction that How to Understand Your Gender is meant to be a guide for people who may have questions about their gender, and what it is/how it's developing. I feel it also is a valuable title for people who don't have questions about their gender, but are curious about what transgender and non-binary is and what these mean. Particularly, if they have someone in their lives who identify as either of these.
This book really digs into what gender is, how it presents, shifts, changes, and how it intersects with other aspects of our lives (including racial intersectionality, which is so often lacking.) It's written in a easy to digest voice that is suitable for a wide range of ages and reading abilities. A teenager could pick up this book, and I think it would make excellent shared reading with younger pre-teens who are exploring their gender identity with a trusted adult.
Iantaffi and Barker are both mental health professionals who are trans-identified. They state in their introduction that How to Understand Your Gender is meant to be a guide for people who may have questions about their gender, and what it is/how it's developing. I feel it also is a valuable title for people who don't have questions about their gender, but are curious about what transgender and non-binary is and what these mean. Particularly, if they have someone in their lives who identify as either of these.
This book really digs into what gender is, how it presents, shifts, changes, and how it intersects with other aspects of our lives (including racial intersectionality, which is so often lacking.) It's written in a easy to digest voice that is suitable for a wide range of ages and reading abilities. A teenager could pick up this book, and I think it would make excellent shared reading with younger pre-teens who are exploring their gender identity with a trusted adult.
dfostermartin's review against another edition
4.0
This was a great and informative book. Similar to other introspective nonfiction selections, I really appreciated the reflection questions sprinkled throughout. In particular, I would recommend doing a buddy read on this one so that you can discuss as you go (otherwise, my tendency is to read questions, but not actually take the time to answer them when working independently). At times it felt a bit redundant, but I think that also could be interpreted at thorough.
ingridboring's review against another edition
5.0
I have to return this to the library for someone else, or I would have let myself get through this at a much slower pace. It is very practical and useful but also gives an intersectional approach and combines real experiences. I feel like most people could probably use this, whether they are questioning their gender or not. I am really grateful the library had this.
aruarian_melody's review against another edition
I don't know why I don't click with these authors. I had the exact same problem I had with another similar book of theirs: I felt like it was too general to really deliver what it is promising. I'm pretty familiar with a lot of the general ideas and terms but I still felt like I never had enough information to actually do the exercises they provide. It almost felt like the chapter that was meant to clarify things just obscured everything for me. I hope this one works for others. I love the idea and hope to find another book in that vein that works for me. Dnf at 12%