Michael Adams (2) (1946–)

This book is much less exciting than it sounds, trust me. I had to mark 25 first-year college book reports for this one, so I know it inside and out, whether I want to or not!

It's interesting, I'll admit -- Adams is a pollster, so he knows how to get information from people and how to manage it. His thesis for [Sex in the Snow] is that "demography is not destiny", and as a result, breaks down his analysis of Canadian demographic groups into social values tribes, which he asserts are of more use in understanding Canadians.

I could say more about the social values tribes, but I don't want to bore you in case sociology isn't your thing. If it is, however, I'd caution you before picking up this book -- the author has an extreme bias against Judeo-Christian values (or religion of any kind that isn't simply 'spirituality'), and it shows. Rather than presenting his data as an unbiased third party, which he claims to be doing, his voice creeps in from time to time and seems to be condoning the growing hedonistic tendencies of the younger generation. On more than on occasion, his statements about Christianity are tinged with bitterness and, I would go so far as to say hatred. It's certainly off-putting, when you consider what the book should be doing.

Adams also neglects to recognize the growing influence of immigrant populations here in Canada, which means he doesn't even mention the prevalence of Muslims. Islam is a growing religion, not a stagnant or declining one as he claims Christianity is (though he has trouble presenting data for this), but he doesn't even mention it. And what about Hinduism or Buddhism, or any number of other international religions that have a strong presence in Canada due to immigrant populations? It made me scratch my head to think that this well-known sociologist wouldn't even acknowledge these other ethnicities, when that's what our country is so well known for.

And finally, does he mention the good work that people who are tied to religions often do? I'm not so naive as to think all religious groups do good, but when there is a need in a community, isn't it typically a church group who will reach out and fill that need? Things like the help they give to the poor, the donations made to those in need, the communities of trust, assistance, and generosity built around these groups of people? No, Adams simply waxes poetic about hedonism and self-centered youth, sounding almost fond of the change. It's more than a little disconcerting.

Even those who are not religious or who have a strong spiritual belief may be more than a bit puzzled about Adams' reaction to shifting social values. If people are becoming more selfish, more pleasure-seeking, is that always a good thing? Consider the teenagers you know right now. The lack of courtesy many of them have for their fellow person, the defiance of authority, the self-seeking nature of their interactions. Do you want them to run the country with those attitudes still in place?

For all of our sakes, I hope Adams' data is skewed due to the segments of the population he so blatantly ignored. I just wonder why he turned a blind eye to millions of Canadians' influence and presence in his social values schema.… (mere)

OK, so Adams stretches the "sex in the snow" metaphor a little thin, this book is still an interesting read for Canadians, to learn about themselves, and for Americans, to learn about Canadians. This is a book about cultural attitudes,in a country where "demography is no longer destiny". I am a born and bred Canadian, and this book opened my eyes to some of the attitudinal patterns that are evolving in this, my country. A fascinating counterpoint to Adams' book comparing Canada and America, _Fire and Ice_, this is recommended for anyone who likes multivariate statistical analysis...and lots of other people besides.… (mere)