Scan barcode
A review by eloiseisreading
Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men by Caroline Criado Pérez
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
3.0
A reasonably thorough review of studies into gender/sex discrimination and a discussion of the lack of gender/sex related data in a number of fields and areas of life.
Although mentioned briefly from time to time, the author doesn’t go into much detail into the intersectionalities of oppression and discrimination (e.g. race, sexuality, disability, class, etc), which I think is a real shortcoming of the book. I also find the author’s definitions of sex and gender, and her constant switching between the two, a little uncomfortable. Additionally, considering trans women and non-binary AFAB people are amongst the most ‘invisible women’ in society, they didn’t get a mention at all. I think this is worth knowing before going into the book; although this is a feminist book, it isn’t explicitly inclusive of all women and minority gendered people.
Additionally, I felt the author didn’t do enough to unpack and distrust the everyday sexist ideologies of gender stereotypes and heteronormativity.
Overall, I think this is a decent beginner’s book exploring gender/sex discrimination and gendered data science. I think it’s a worthy read when combined with more diverse feminist literature.
Although mentioned briefly from time to time, the author doesn’t go into much detail into the intersectionalities of oppression and discrimination (e.g. race, sexuality, disability, class, etc), which I think is a real shortcoming of the book. I also find the author’s definitions of sex and gender, and her constant switching between the two, a little uncomfortable. Additionally, considering trans women and non-binary AFAB people are amongst the most ‘invisible women’ in society, they didn’t get a mention at all. I think this is worth knowing before going into the book; although this is a feminist book, it isn’t explicitly inclusive of all women and minority gendered people.
Additionally, I felt the author didn’t do enough to unpack and distrust the everyday sexist ideologies of gender stereotypes and heteronormativity.
Overall, I think this is a decent beginner’s book exploring gender/sex discrimination and gendered data science. I think it’s a worthy read when combined with more diverse feminist literature.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Hate crime, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, and Forced institutionalization