" 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
An early version was published in the Saturday Evening Post , creating significant attention. Another piece, “The Natural Superiority of Women,” appeared in the Ladies' Home Journal in July 1952. 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
The book was part of a broader effort by Montagu (who helped draft a 1949 UN statement on race) to argue against biological determinism regarding race, while curiously turning that same focus toward "natural" sex roles in this specific work. Draft and Publication Context The book was part of a broader effort