Arlene Stein is a Professor of Sociology and Women’s and Gender Studies and the director of the Institute for Research on Women at Rutgers University. She teaches courses on the sociology of gender and sexuality, culture, self and society. She is the author of four scholarly books; the recipient of the Simon and Gagnon Award for career contributions to the study of sexualities and the Ruth Benedict Book Award; and has served on the editorial boards of the journals Social Problems, SIGNS, and Sexualities.