Sex, Lies and Statistics

Why We Need Evidence-Based Policy on Sex and Gender

Inbunden, Engelska, 2026

359 kr

Kommande

One of the key battles in the gender wars has raged around the wisdom of collecting data on sex. Some argue that knowledge of one's biological sex is, in most situations, irrelevant and that self-reported gender identity holds most importance for understanding society. Others foresee harmful consequences in letting biological sex slip through the cracks and argue that in order to move towards a less misogynistic world, resisting the erasure of femaleness in statistics is paramount. Heated emotions have prevented balanced discussion from flourishing in the media and academia.Sociologist Alice Sullivan explains why we are losing data on sex, and why we still need it as much as ever. She explains how even small numbers of people being misclassified according to their sex can lead to paradoxically large errors in data analysis. The differences between the sexes are a fundamentally important factor for analysis of demography, physical and mental health, crime, education, employment, religion, and social and political attitudes. And without accurate data on our society and institutions we risk entering a post-fact and post-truth world, where claims can no longer be tested against evidence. Without trusted data, democracies wilt, and conspiracy theories and cynicism thrive.With lucidity and balance, Sullivan makes a calm case against sex denialism, but for the necessity of collecting data on both sex and gender identity. The world she envisages is one in which coming generations can draw on a bedrock of data which reflects our transforming society in all its turbulence, political diversity and optimism for a better future.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum2026-11-13
FormatInbunden
SpråkEngelska
Antal sidor298
FörlagPolity Press
ISBN9781509566792

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Genusvetenskap inom Samhälle och politik

"Alice Sullivan's book is rational, unbiased and empathetic. It is a gripping, essential work that does not shy away from clear descriptions of some horrific consequences of the failures to accurately account for sex in data collection and public policy."Carole Hooven, Associate, Department of Psychology, Harvard University and author of Testosterone"Alice Sullivan's splendid book is a body blow to the trans cult and its gullible enablers in politics, the media, and the medical and teaching professions. An especially valuable section traces the philosophical roots of the cult in the pretentious obscurantism of postmodernism. A terrific book, strongly recommended."Professor Richard Dawkins, FRS"'Everyone has a right to their own opinion, but not to their own facts.' Alice Sullivan shows how this truism has been under assault by a coalition of ideologues and cowards who have corrupted the simple recording of data, leaving institutions ignorant or deluded. This book is a compelling call for honesty and accuracy in understanding the most basic difference between us, male and female."Steven Pinker, Johnstone Family Professor of Psychology, Harvard University, and author of Enlightenment Now"This is a truly frightening book. It describes a universe of Orwellian groupthink and oppressive, health-damaging ideological control that operates at all levels of power, including government, the civil service, policing and criminal justice, the media and academia. The problem is that this Orwellian universe is the one we actually live in now.Alice Sullivan documents with ruthless and persuasive attention to the evidence how we have got into such a mess about sex and gender and why it matters. The level of confusion she documents, especially among policymakers and academics, is almost unbelievable and certainly extraordinary. It amounts to what she calls a systemic failure of 'institutional governance and truth-seeking norms': an anti-democratic rejection of science and the silencing of dissident voices. Sex, Lies and Statistics should be compulsory reading for everyone involved in shaping public policy."Ann Oakley, Professor of Sociology and Social Policy, UCL