AEGiS-BKREV: Gendered Epidemic: Representations of Women in the Age of AIDS,

(BKREV) Gendered Epidemic: Representations of Women in the Age of AIDS,

Routledge, 29 West 35th St., New York, NY 10001. 236p., illus., bibliog., index. ISBN 0-415-91784-0, 0-415-91785-9pbk. $70.00, $21.99pbk.
edited by Nancy L. Roth, Katie Hogan. 1998.

The visibility of women has increased dramatically over the past few years, opening the doors to the "deeply entrenched historical silences and gendered distortions that characterized the first decade of the HIV pandemic." As a result, research has begun , more and more, to target women in HIV/AIDS prevention efforts. "This collection weaves together theoretical, critical, and practical perspectives to question the idea that simply taking AIDS and adding women will provide the insights necessary to stem the spread of HIV." The tokenism that has been so present in the past in the medical community has to end. Women have to be looked at as equals in this era of AIDS. "This book adds to the critical literature on women and HIV infection by providing an i nvestigation of the ways in which HIV is a gendered epidemic--and why it is."

Part one covers "Gendered Habits: Gender, Sexuality, and HIV/AIDS." The one chapter in this part is "Ambiguous Elements: Rethinking the Gender/Sexuality Matrix in an Epidemic." Here is presented the idea that "identities are habitual actions." The ne xt part, "Gendered Abjection: Prevention--Policy and Practice," delves deeper into the actual policy and practice of research, education, and politics. The last part, "Gendered Silence: Representation--Exclusions and Inclusions," provides essays that" expose media (including feminist media) silences about women and HIV/AIDS and explores the reasons behind the silence, examines how women are constructed when they are the object of mainstream media attention, explores how the AIDS quilt reifies gendered experiences, addresses how gender, race, and class intersect with HIV/AIDS in recent novels, and discusses how video images produced by HIV-positive women for and about themselves differ from other representations of women and HIV/AIDS."

This an extremely interesting book to read and one that all researchers and counselors should be made aware of. Women have too long taken what is left over when it comes to research and recognition. This book spells out these problems and provides some insights on how it is beginning to change. A highly recommended book for all libraries.

Keywords: Women

Copyright (c) 1999 - Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. Reviews may be reprinted or redistributed for the noncommercial purpose of scientific or educational advancement granted by Sections 107 and 108 of the Copyright Revision Act of 1976. For other reprinting, redistribution , or translation, address requests to H. Robert Malinowsky, University of Illinois at Chicago Library, PO Box 8198, Chicago, IL 60680 or electronically to hrm@uic.edu.
990110
BK990892

Copyright © 1999 - The University of Illinois at Chicago. All materials in the journal are subject to copyright by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois and may be reprinted or redistributed for the noncommercial purpose of scientific or educational advancement granted by Sections 107 and 108 of the Copyright Revision Act of 1976. For other reprinting, redistribution, or translation, address requests to H. Robert Malinowsky, University of Illinois at Chicago Library, PO Box 8198, Chicago, IL 60680 or electronically to hrm@uic.edu.

AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, iMetrikus, Inc., the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1999. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1999. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .