Take the Young Stranger by the Hand: Same-Sex Relations and the YMCA

Be the first to write a review

Overview

Now associated with family health clubs, the YMCA's bland image is the result of relentless outreach and the studied avoidance of controversy. But, as John Gustav-Wrathall shows in his revealing social history of the organization, the life of the YMCA has been filled with strife, tragedy, and irony, a life that itself reflects the struggle over the shifting societal mores regarding masculine friendship and intimacy. Take the Young Stranger by the Hand presents the YMCA as an institution of profound ...
See more details below
Available through our Marketplace sellers.
See All Options
Other sellers (Hardcover)
  • All (11) from $11.00   
  • New (4) from $35.07   
  • Used (7) from $11.00   
Close
Sort by
Page 1 of 1
Showing All
Note: Marketplace items are not eligible for any BN.com coupons and promotions
$35.07
Stork Group
Seller since 2011

Feedback rating:

(556)

Condition:

New — never opened or used in original packaging.

Like New — packaging may have been opened. A "Like New" item is suitable to give as a gift.

Very Good — may have minor signs of wear on packaging but item works perfectly and has no damage.

Good — item is in good condition but packaging may have signs of shelf wear/aging or torn packaging. All specific defects should be noted in the Comments section associated with each item.

Acceptable — item is in working order but may show signs of wear such as scratches or torn packaging. All specific defects should be noted in the Comments section associated with each item.

Used — An item that has been opened and may show signs of wear. All specific defects should be noted in the Comments section associated with each item.

Refurbished — A used item that has been renewed or updated and verified to be in proper working condition. Not necessarily completed by the original manufacturer.

New
Brand new and unread! Join our growing list of satisfied customers!

Ships from: Phoenix, MD

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Standard, 48 States
  • •Standard (AK, HI)
$35.08
indoo
Seller since 2007

Feedback rating:

(22507)

Condition: New
BRAND NEW

Ships from: Avenel, NJ

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Canadian
  • •International
  • •Standard, 48 States
  • •Standard (AK, HI)
$35.19
Extremely_Reliable
Seller since 2007

Feedback rating:

(7866)

Condition: New
Buy with confidence. Excellent Customer Service & Return policy.

Ships from: Richmond, TX

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Canadian
  • •International
  • •Standard, 48 States
  • •Standard (AK, HI)
$51.53
Lyric Vibes
Seller since 2010

Feedback rating:

(147)

Condition: New
Hardcover New 0226907848 New Condition ~~~ Right off the Shelf-BUY NOW & INCREASE IN KNOWLEDGE...

Ships from: Geneva, IL

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Canadian
  • •International
  • •Standard, 48 States
  • •Standard (AK, HI)
  • •Express, 48 States
  • •Express (AK, HI)
Page 1 of 1
Showing All
Close
Sort by
Sending request ...

More About This Book

Overview

Now associated with family health clubs, the YMCA's bland image is the result of relentless outreach and the studied avoidance of controversy. But, as John Gustav-Wrathall shows in his revealing social history of the organization, the life of the YMCA has been filled with strife, tragedy, and irony, a life that itself reflects the struggle over the shifting societal mores regarding masculine friendship and intimacy. Take the Young Stranger by the Hand presents the YMCA as an institution of profound contradictions, reflective of society's views of same-sex love and sexuality.

"Gustav-Wrathall's book offers an in-depth history of the origins and purposes of the Young Men's Christian Association and how it evolved into—and out of—a gay playland."—Arnie Kantrowitz, Lambda Book Report

"The book's absorbing exploration of the sometimes schismatic, sometimes synergistic relationship between spirituality and sexuality is a fascinating addition to the growing body of social history."—Jim Van Buskirk, San Francisco Bay Guardian

Read More Show Less

Editorial Reviews

Library Journal
The ubiquitous, mundane YMCA seems an unlikely subject for a scholarly study, but Gustav-Wrathall reveals that the Y has had a complex and fascinating history at odds with its bland public image. The Young Men's Christian Association was founded to provide spiritual sustenance in the burgeoning urban environment of the mid-19th century. By the turn of the century, the Y's mission had secularized and evolved into an emphasis on physical education, sex education, and facilities that overtly discouraged--but covertly encouraged--homosocial activity. From the pietistic early years of Christian brotherhood and passionate friendships under the auspices of the many bachelor administrators, to latter-day gay cruising celebrated in the raunchy eponymous Village People tune, the author amplifies the homoerotic undertones that have always been present. He draws on his own missionary and evangelical experiences to show that the relationship between the Y's Christian origins and homosexuality have been more synergistic than dichotomous. Highly recommended for all gay studies and human sexuality collections.--Richard Violette, Special Libraries Cataloging Inc., Victoria, BC
Booknews
Goes beneath the current image of the YMCA as a family health club to show that the organization's past is filled with struggle over shifting societal mores regarding masculine friendship and intimacy. Considers the relationship between Christian brotherhood and homoeroticism, shows how the YMCA was one of the earliest popularizers of medical and psychiatric paradigms of sexuality, and looks at how it has influenced the evolution of gay culture. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.
Jim Van Buskirk
The book's absorbing exploration of the sometimes schismatic, sometimes synergistic relationship between spirituality and sexuality is a fascinating addition to the growing body of social history that seeeks to explore and elucidate the roles played by our cultural institutions in the context of modern lesbian and gay communities and identities.
— San Francisco Bay Guardian
Read More Show Less

Product Details

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations Preface Acknowledgments Introduction
1: From Urban Pietism to Sex Education
2: Intense Friendship
3: Singleness and the Consecrated Secretary
4: Marriage and the Sacrificial "Y Wife"
5: Women and the Young Men's Christian Association
6: Getting Physical
7: Cruising Epilogue App. 1: Analysis of Quantitative Sources on YMCA Secretarial Marital Status App. 2: Methodological Problems: Silences, the Spirit/Body Split, and the Denial of Cruising Notes Bibliography Index
Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Be the first to write a review
( 0 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(0)

4 Star

(0)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

Review Guidelines
Add Recommendations
Your Name: Create a Pen Name or

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identity on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

 
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously
    If you find inappropriate content, please report it to Barnes & Noble
    Why is this product inappropriate?
    Comments (optional)