Why Boys Don't Play with Dolls

Biographical

The Nation, a liberal publication for which Pollitt write a column, provides a succinct biography of Katha Pollitt.

In this short interview, Katha Pollitt answers questions, giving readers a glimpse of who she is.

Pollitt discusses her beginnings as a feminist in this interview with Feminists for Choice. Note the link within the interview to an earlier talk with Salon.

Cultural

Explore the National Organization for Women's Web site. You will find information about the organization's current hot topics and initiatives, its history, its record of achievement, and much else.

Read what the Anti-Defamation League has to say about Mark Koernke, commonly known as "Mark from Michigan."

Consider how Katha Pollitt might view Deborah Tannen's ideas about women's and men's communication styles. Deborah Tannen's essay, "Mom's Unforgiving Mirror," is available in Chapter 7 of The Short Prose Reader.

The Tropical Splash Barbie and Cut 'N Style Barbie commercials shed light on Pollitt’s comments.

Consider this review in Publisher's Weekly of the book Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus.

Studies of twins are often viewed as a plausible way to approach the nature vs. nurture debate. This National Public Radio piece, "'Identical Strangers' Explore Nature Vs. Nurture," spotlights some of the issues involved.

Bibliographical

Enjoy a selection of essays Pollitt has written for her regular column, "Subject to Debate," in The Nation.

Pollitt's book, Virginity or Death, is a collection of five years' worth of her columns. Read the New York Times review of the book.

In "Dumb and Dumber: An Essay and Its Editors," Pollitt takes on Charlotte Allen and her essay, "We Scream, We Swoon. How Dumb Can We Get?" Can you find possible paper topics in this volley of ideas? Where do you stand on the issues raised?

Katha Pollitt is also an accomplished poet. Click here for selected poems, articles, and a podcast, "Poetry in Work."

Enjoy "The Moth," a poem by Pollitt in The New Yorker.