First published 1993
Nell Irvin Painter tackles the complex relationship between women and competition in this collection of essays. The author argues that feminism has often treated competition as forbidden territory, leaving women unprepared for its realities in professional and personal spheres. Painter examines how competitive pressures affect women in universities, where academic careers demand constant performance evaluation. She explores the publishing world's demands on female writers and the complicated dynamics that emerge when domestic workers and their employers navigate unequal power structures. The essays also delve into sexual oppression and how competitive elements surface even in lesbian relationships, where they might seem unexpected. Painter challenges readers to reconsider competition not as an inherently masculine or negative force, but as something women must understand and engage with strategically. The book offers women tools for recognizing competitive dynamics and developing healthier approaches to professional advancement and personal relationships.
Genres: gender-studies, feminism, non-fiction, academia
Vibes: academic, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: academic-setting, social-commentary
208 pages · Paperback · The Feminist Press at CUNY