" The Natural Superiority of Women " is a seminal 1953 book (and earlier 1952 article) written by British-American anthropologist Ashley Montagu. The work argues from a biological and anthropological perspective that women are naturally superior to men. Core Arguments & Themes
The work emphasizes that women possess a natural, inborn capacity for love, cooperation, and nurture. Conversely, he argued that men’s reliance on "muscular power" led to harmful behaviors in modern society, such as "psychopaths, drug abusers, and barroom brawlers". The Natural Superiority of Women
According to the American Philosophical Society , the Ashley Montagu Papers (Mss.Ms.Coll.109) hold several complete manuscripts of his work, including The Natural Superiority of Women , alongside his correspondence, which may provide further insight into the drafting process. from the original 1952 Ladies' Home Journal article? " The Natural Superiority of Women " is
Writing in the 1950s, Montagu’s arguments were used to support traditional gender roles in a Cold War context, arguing that women's role as the anchor of the family was a defense against societal breakdown. Conversely, he argued that men’s reliance on "muscular
While the book was radical for its time by advocating for equal pay, it also angered some feminists by arguing that women should stay home to raise children. Archived Materials