Material Girls presents a timely and opinionated critique of the culturally influential theory that we each have an inner feeling about our sex called a gender identity, and that this feeling is more socially significant than our actual biological sex. It makes a clear and humane feminist case for retaining the ability to discuss material reality about biological sex in a range of important contexts, including women-only spaces and resources, healthcare, epidemiology, political organization and data collection. It will investigate the intellectual history of gender identity, showing how the concept is linked to a misguided philosophical picture which broadly rejects science and conflates facts about intersex people with facts about trans people. Material Girls concludes with a positive vision for the future, of collaboration between feminists and trans activists, detailing how they could work together to achieve some of their political aims.

Praise

‘A brilliant and inspiring engagement with the consequences of female embodiment for women’s lives’
Helen Joyce

‘…boy, does she pack a punch…A methodical dismantling of weak, misleading and false arguments… A call for cool heads at a time of great heat and a vital reminder that revolutions don’t always end well.’
Christina Patterson, The Sunday Times

‘Stock’s clearsighted analysis of how gender identity theory negatively impacts women and girls feels radical – and even slightly dangerous. Reading the book I felt an intense sense of relief that finally a comprehensive account of gender identity theory was presented and explored with both clarity and depth… A clear, concise, easy-to-read account of the issues between sex, gender and feminism… It highlights the problem, it focuses on concrete evidence, it explores all affected parties and seeks to find practical resolution… An important book.’
Evening Standard

‘a brave, enlightening, closely argued book, by a fearless woman.’
Jane O’Grady, The Telegraph

‘Material Girls is a punchy, polemical read… Stock is right to say there’s a material reality to being a girl. And she’s right to demand the space to say it.’
Ann Furedi, Spiked

‘Anyone who has felt confounded by the shifting debate about sex and gender will find some clarity here. More importantly, you will find a curious mind and a generous spirit.’
Daily Mail

‘Should be read by anyone who wants to understand the spirit of the age, its complexities and challenges, and how to map a truly progressive way forward.’
Matthew d’Acona, Tortoise Media

‘Stock’s feminism is disciplined and thoughtful… Material Girls is trenchant, accurate and self-aware.’
The Australian

‘Material Girls is a closely argued, courageous book and an indispensable read for all who want to make sense of this vitally important contemporary issue.’
Morning Star

‘what seems especially positive is Stock’s plea to remember why feminism exists: to argue for women and girls, and to address the distinct challenges, oppressions, and disadvantages they face in whichever culture or society they find themselves.’
The Lady

‘At the heart of Material Girls is a careful exploration of the concepts that matter in the debate about transgender and women’s rights… The argument running through Material Girls is that… sex is too important at variable to ignore or replace with identity-based definitions… Stocks argument that we need to ground ourselves in reality while resisting rigidity and dogma – wherever it comes from – is a valuable and important one.’
Radical Notion